SHILLONG/NONGPOH/TURA, May 2: The 2025 edition of the Strawberry Festival was inaugurated with fervour in three locations — Sohliya in Ri-Bhoi, Syntung in East Khasi Hills, and Darechikgre in West Garo Hills.
The vibrant event aims at promoting local farmers and showcasing the state’s renowned strawberries. The festival, which runs from May 2 to 3, offers a rich blend of agriculture, culture, and tourism.
This year’s Strawberry Festival promises an immersive experience for both residents and visitors, celebrating the agricultural excellence of the state while highlighting its tourism potential. Visitors can partake in strawberry picking, explore scenic strawberry fields, and enjoy a range of activities, including workshops on winemaking, local cuisine, trekking, strawberry baking, local wine tasting, and culinary tastings. Live music performances by artists launched by the Meghalaya Government Music Platform (MGMP), along with traditional dance and music performances, offer an engaging look into the state’s vibrant cultural heritage.
At the inauguration in Sohliya, Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal lauded Ostander Lyngkhoi, the pioneer of strawberry cultivation in the region, for his contribution to the industry.
Baranwal highlighted that strawberry farming is highly profitable, but also acknowledged the ongoing challenges such as access to quality planting materials and marketing infrastructure. He emphasised the government’s efforts to support farmers, including initiatives like drip irrigation and the provision of planting materials.
‘Strawberry Village’
This is the second time the festival is being hosted in Sohliya, a village that has earned recognition as the “Strawberry Village” of Meghalaya.
Ostander Lyngkhoi, the village headman of Sohliya and a key figure in the introduction of strawberry cultivation to Meghalaya, shared his journey. He began strawberry farming with an initial investment of Rs 80,000, and today, the practice has spread to several villages across Ri-Bhoi. He pointed out that strawberry farming is more profitable than other crops, and with an annual production of 175-280 tonnes in Ri-Bhoi, it has proven to be a lucrative venture. Lyngkhoi also recalled the humble beginnings of strawberry cultivation in Sohliya, starting with just 50 saplings in 1988. By 2004, the introduction of drip irrigation systems significantly boosted production.
Several farmers present at the event said strawberry farming offers an alternative source of employment at a time when government job opportunities are limited. They added that the crop yields good returns and could help uplift rural livelihoods.
A visitor from New Zealand, who has settled in the state after marrying a Khasi woman, praised the overall organisation of the event. However, he expressed disappointment over the lack of publicity, particularly in terms of informing the public about the festival’s schedule.
Syntung
In Syntung, East Khasi Hills, Peter T Passah, Additional Deputy Commissioner, emphasised that the festival would not only boost local income but also promote agro-tourism. He noted that through agro-tourism, farmers could establish farm-stays and other opportunities to attract visitors. Passah also assured that the government would assist Syntung’s Sordar in setting up a check-dam, which will help farmers during the winter for strawberry plantations.
Joint Director of Horticulture, S Rani, recalled the early days of strawberry cultivation in Ri-Bhoi when it was first introduced at the Dewlieh Horticulture Farm in 2004. The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) has since distributed over 10 lakh planting materials across the state, benefiting more than 1,000 farmers and cultivating strawberries across 51.5 hectares.
Garo Hills chapter
The 2nd edition and Garo Hills chapter of the two-day Strawberry Festival got off to a flying and colourful start on Friday at the picturesque Darechikgre playground.
Darechikgre village, located some 15 km away from Tura, lies at high elevation and forms part of the famous Nokrek peak range, offers perfect topographical and climatic conditions for cultivation of the luscious and juicy fruit.
As such, farmers of Darechikgre and the other villages in the adjoining areas like Tosekgre have taken to farming and cultivation of strawberry with an active technical and financial support of the state Horticulture department in recent times, in a big way.
Though still in its nascent stage, farmers have been able to produce the fruit in reasonable quantities and commercialised this to their advantage, given its high demands in the markets.
The two day festival is being blended with numerous stalls selling local delicacies, fermented wines made of various locally grown fruits and citric, stalls selling wares, crafts and clothes. To keep visitors enthralled, various local bands are performing with their famous songs and foot-tapping musical beats on both days.
The festival is being hosted by the Art Sources, a local event management firm and is supported and collaborated with the Meghalayan Age Limited, Tourism department and Agro Farmers Welfare Association.
The event was inaugurated by the newly joined Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills, Vibhor Agarwal.
