Shillong, Aug 28: The Soil & Water Conservation Department on Friday launched ‘Meghalaya Mandi’, an integrated digital marketplace for cash crops covering 13 major crops across all 12 districts.
The app, coded by Commissioner & Secretary Dr Joram Beda himself, connects farmers, aggregators, buyers and transporters to improve price transparency and cut middlemen.
The platform builds on a five-month pilot in North Garo Hills under Meghalaya New and Renewable Energy Development Agency (MNREDA) Chairman Rupert Momin which traded 330 MT of produce – 180 MT ginger, 100 MT banana, 30 MT pineapple, 20 MT turmeric – benefiting 800 farmers and generating Rs 1.5 crore business with Rs 78 lakh additional income for farmers, with zero government spending.
Launching the app, Minister in charge Marcuise N Marak said it will help farmers get fair prices for Lakadong turmeric, ginger, pineapple and oranges, linking to Chief Minister’s $10-billion economy vision.
Momin highlighted the need for sustainable market linkages for farmers in North Garo Hills and the importance of addressing persistent challenges such as price volatility, transportation costs and fragmented production.
A 13 MT banana consignment was flagged off on the occasion to Jamshedpur-based Himalayan Food Company at fixed Rs 120 per bunch, giving farmers price assurance.
Buyers noted strong national demand for Meghalaya’s organic ginger, turmeric, pineapple and other produce in markets across India and their potential for further value addition and exports.
