Shillong, Aug 11: In a first for the district, 35 banana farmers from North Garo Hills have collectively marketed 15 metric tonnes of raw banana to Himalayan Traders, Patna, through Dijako Agro Producer Company Limited with support from Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (MNREDA).
The consignment was facilitated under a Farmer-Aggregator-Bulk Buyer model aimed at linking smallholders directly to larger markets outside the state. Dijako Agro aggregated the produce, coordinated collection, and arranged transportation for the pilot dispatch.
Officials said the pilot will help the buyer assess quality, size, grading, packaging and market demand. Feedback from Patna will be used to standardise future procurement, pricing and quality norms for farmers in the region.
MNREDA said the initiative marks a milestone in building a stronger banana value chain in North Garo Hills and demonstrates the potential of collective marketing to connect Meghalaya farmers with national markets. The agency added it remains committed to supporting similar livelihood interventions to improve market access and incomes for farming communities across the state.
