A high-level eight-member delegation from Lulu Group International, a UAE-based conglomerate, visited Meghalaya for a series of strategic engagements aimed at strengthening international market linkages for the state’s agricultural products.
The visit follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Lulu Group and the Meghalaya State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) in November 2023 at World Food India in New Delhi, facilitated by APEDA. Over the past two years, MSAMB has proactively facilitated the export of GI-tagged Khasi mandarin, pineapple, and ginger through both air and sea routes.
The delegation held an official meeting with the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and senior civil servants, a press release stated today. Discussions centred on expanding global market access for Meghalaya’s agricultural products, increasing farmer incomes and scaling up agri-export infrastructure.
The CM assured the delegation of full government support in maximising this partnership. He emphasised the importance of leveraging Meghalaya’s unique agro-climatic conditions and traditional practices to create a strong brand identity in global markets.
“Our focus is on ensuring maximum efficiency with the investments we make, so that the volume of products reaching international markets continues to grow,” said Sangma. “As a government, we are fully committed to this partnership. Meghalaya is an agro-based society and our produce, especially the GI-tagged and organic varieties, are unique to this region. These products have immense potential and we are determined to take them to global platforms. Today we are witnessing significant growth in production, organic certification and farmer collectivisation. A great deal of groundwork is already in motion and we are building on that momentum to ensure long-term gains for our farmers.”
Last year, the state government facilitated the first-ever direct export of GI-tagged Khasi mandarin to Dubai via air cargo from Guwahati, bypassing conventional routes via Mumbai. This ensured faster and more efficient transportation of perishable, high-value produce.
Building on this success, direct exports of pineapple consignments were also initiated, with Air India Cargo managing the shipment directly from Guwahati.
To date, Meghalaya has exported over 13 tonnes of Khasi mandarin and 10 tonnes of pineapple to markets in the Middle East. The first-ever sea shipment of 15 tonnes of organic ginger was successfully dispatched to Dubai in March 2025, facilitated by MSAMB in collaboration with the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company.
A team comprising officials from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and eight progressive farmers from the state undertook a market exposure visit to Dubai in March 2025. The visit was designed to provide first-hand insights into international trade practices, pricing strategies and quality expectations from global buyers. Farmers interacted with wholesale buyers at Aweer Market, participated in a promotional showcase at the Our Wellness Village Café in Sharjah and witnessed their products being displayed at Lulu Hypermarket, Silicon Oasis, alongside leading international brands.
The experience enabled farmers to better understand global consumer preferences, branding standards and packaging benchmarks- key areas that are now being addressed in collaboration with Lulu Group and other partners.
