Shillong, Jan 24: The January edition of the Monthly Farmers’ Market was launched here today, to strengthen farmer incomes and improve agri-marketing through a direct and transparent farm-to-consumer platform.
The market highlighted seasonal crops, particularly oranges and pumpkins, showcasing Meghalaya’s winter harvest and enabling farmers to sell fresh produce directly to consumers. Thirty curated stalls, including 17 farmer stalls, agri-entrepreneurs, and participants from allied sectors such as fisheries and animal husbandry featured at the market.
A live kitchen, managed by Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) members trained at the Institute of Hotel Management, Shillong, demonstrated value-added dishes made from oranges and pumpkins. The VDVKs recorded sales exceeding Rs 20,000.
Visitors experienced a farm-to-plate model through freshly prepared orange-based and pumpkin-based dishes using locally sourced ingredients.
The partnership with SOMOI, a local homegrown quick-commerce app in Shillong, highlighted how such initiatives support local entrepreneurs and farmers by enabling them to reach a wider consumer base through new marketing channels. The Farmers’ Market enabled the sale of local products across Shillong through SOMOI’s online platform.
The market was organized by 1917 iTEAMS under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, with support from the Meghalaya Farmers’ (Empowerment) Commission.
Officials said the Monthly Farmers’ Market is a strategic State initiative focused on farmer empowerment and strengthening the local economy. It promotes fair pricing, supports value addition and entrepreneurship, and provides consumers with access to fresh, safe, affordable local produce through a convergence-based approach.
Meghalaya Farmers’ Empowerment Commission Chariman P. S. Thangkhiew said the initiative would gradually be extended to other major district headquarters where farmers do not always get the opportunity to sell their produce at remunerative prices.
He stressed the need to ensure that the present initiative remains farmer-centric and welcomed the involvement of platforms such as SOMOI.
