Meghalaya is set to make its first organised entry into the national spice market with the launch of the Meghalaya Spice Festival, scheduled to be held from January 30 to February 1, 2026. The three-day event will take place at Jio World Drive in Bandra Kurla Complex, one of the country’s leading business and trade hubs.
Officials said the festival marks a clear effort by the state to secure better markets, stronger value chains and export opportunities for farmers and producer groups from Meghalaya. The event has been planned as a business-focused platform, bringing together farmer producer organisations, self-help groups, cooperatives and MSMEs from the state with buyers, exporters, organised retail chains, HoReCa players, nutraceutical companies and institutional buyers.
A wide range of spices grown in Meghalaya will be showcased during the festival. These include GI-tagged Lakadong turmeric, known for its high curcumin content, as well as ginger, black pepper, bay leaves, cinnamon and indigenous spice blends. Officials said the selection highlights the state’s emphasis on natural and organic farming, proper certification, branding and value addition.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the initiative was aimed at creating direct market access for farmers. “Meghalaya’s strength lies in its farmers and in the rich natural resources of our land. Through initiatives like the Meghalaya Spice Festival, we are creating direct market linkages for our organic produce, enabling our farmers and producer groups to access national and global platforms,” he said.
He added that the focus was not only on promoting Lakadong turmeric, ginger and other premium spices, but also on ensuring sustainable livelihoods, stable incomes and long-term economic growth for rural communities across the state.
The festival will feature B2B meetings, buyer–seller interactions, culinary demonstrations and farmer-led storytelling sessions. A dedicated Brand Meghalaya pavilion will also highlight government programmes linked to agriculture, livelihoods and rural enterprise development.
The event aligns with the state government’s target of bringing one lakh hectares under organic cultivation by 2028 and its broader plan to build strong and durable spice value chains that improve farm incomes. Officials noted that hosting the festival in Mumbai will provide direct access to domestic and international spice networks.
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Timothy Shira said the focus was on strengthening the entire chain from farm to market. “The agriculture sector is the backbone of Meghalaya’s economy, and our farmers are at the heart of this transformation. By opening new markets and encouraging value addition, we aim to enhance farmers’ incomes and build resilient agri-based enterprises,” he said.
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