Shillong, Jul 22: The Central Agricultural University (CAU) Imphal is set to host the National Buyer–Seller Meet-cum-Exhibition on Indigenous and Heritage Products of Northeast India on July 24-25 at the State Convention Centre here.
Organised by the College of Community Science, Tura, under CAU Imphal, the two-day event will bring together artisans, entrepreneurs, producer groups, women-led enterprises, investors/ buyers, retailers and other market stakeholders to promote the diverse indigenous products and enterprise potential of the North East.
The event is centered on the theme, ‘From Heritage to Enterprise: Empowering Women Artisans in Northeast India’.
By strengthening market linkages and promoting sustainable enterprise development, the initiative seeks to enhance the commercial potential of the region’s rich indigenous heritage. The event is expected to witness the participation of more than 100 artisans (sponsored by different agencies), investors and buyers, including stakeholder institutions, such as PRIME Meghalaya; the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS); Directorate of Food Processing (DoFP); Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA); and other organisations working towards entrepreneurship development and market promotion.
The North East is renowned for its rich cultural traditions and unique indigenous products, including heritage handloom textiles, handicrafts, bamboo and cane products, natural fibre products, herbal and wellness items, eco-friendly innovations and traditional food products, a press release stated. “While these products reflect generations of craftsmanship and cultural knowledge, many women-led enterprises continue to face challenges related to branding, packaging, technology adoption and market access.”
One of the major attractions of the event will be the exhibition showcasing a wide range of indigenous and Geographical Indication (GI) products from across the eight North Eastern states. These include Lakadong turmeric from Meghalaya, Adi Apong (Rice Wine) from Arunachal Pradesh, Dalle chilli from Sikkim and Chak Hao (Black Rice) from Manipur, among many other traditional products.
Live craft demonstrations and heritage product showcases will further highlight the region’s rich artistic and cultural traditions. The programme will also feature a Buyer-Seller Marketplace with Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) interactions, networking sessions with national buyers and exporters, participation by retail chains and e-commerce platforms, institutional procurement opportunities, and investor-entrepreneur interactions aimed at expanding market access for participating enterprises.
Technical sessions on branding and packaging strategies, digital marketing, e-commerce opportunities, financial assistance, government schemes and sustainable production systems will provide practical insights to entrepreneurs seeking to improve product quality, market competitiveness and long-term business sustainability.
