Initiative aimed at boosting organic farming

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, Sep 21: In a bid to support the state’s organic farmers, Meghalaya has launched its own APEDA-certified organic certification agency, the Meghalaya State Organic Certification Body (MSOCB), under the Planning Department, becoming the second state in the North East to do so after Sikkim.
The initiative aims to support organic farmers by streamlining the certification process and promoting their produce in domestic and international markets.
Certified under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), the certification ensures that agricultural products meet organic standards, allowing farmers to access premium markets and achieve better prices.
Known for crops like turmeric, ginger, black pepper and oranges, Meghalaya’s farmers can now certify their products as organic, enhancing their marketability.
Further strengthening the organic farming ecosystem in Meghalaya, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the National Cooperative Organics Ltd (NCOL) and Meghalaya’s Natural and Organic Farming Society for Livelihood and Innovation in Agriculture (MEGNOLIA) at World Food India 2024, New Delhi.
This partnership will focus on the procurement and marketing of Meghalaya’s non-perishable organic produce, further strengthening the state’s organic farming ecosystem.
During the same event, the brand ‘Meghalaya Collectives’, representing local farmers and their organic products, was also launched.