NEW DELHI/ SHILLONG, Aug 3: The third edition of the Meghalaya Pineapple Festival 2025, hosted by the state government at Dilli Haat, concluded on Sunday after a power-packed three-day celebration of Meghalaya’s pineapples, farmer-first approach, and forward-looking partnerships.
More than 15.4 MT of pineapples were sold in three days of the festival, reflecting the success of the third edition of the festival, which Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said “is growing bigger and better every year”.
The festival also highlighted Meghalaya’s rapidly growing logistics ecosystem. Over the last three years, the state has invested in 27 cold storages and seven processing hubs.
Meghalaya has exported 682 MT of processed pineapples to international markets, including the European Union, Gulf, and Southeast Asia, while over 150 MT were sold in Indian metros. Strategic partnerships from this year’s edition will soon enable widespread online delivery of Meghalaya’s products via platforms like Reliance and Amazon Karigar.
One of the festival’s biggest achievements was the signing of memorandums of understanding with Reliance Fresh, Amazon Karigar, and Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, aimed at boosting procurement, nationwide retail, and logistics support for Meghalaya’s products.
Officials said the Meghalaya Pineapple Festival reflects that commitment in bringing farmers, entrepreneurs, and musicians under the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grass-roots Music Project (CM-MGMP), from the state’s remote rural pockets to the cities.
Reena Nongrum, a woman entrepreneur from Ri-Bhoi, shared her success story. “With support from the Horticulture Department, my pineapple jams and candies are now reaching customers in Delhi, Kolkata, and Kerala. From a small-scale tailor to owning a food processing unit, I’m proud to scale my venture,” she said.
Her stall, featuring innovative products like dried pineapple, pineapple candy, and ginger powder, drew significant crowds.
The festival also showcased a vibrant line-up of cultural performances under the CM-MGMP. Bands like The LYNX, Elena and the Band, and Chegim Durama performed at Dilli Haat and India Gate over the three days.
“To sing in front of India Gate as a grass-roots musician from Meghalaya was emotional. This festival is more than pineapples; it’s about identity, pride and recognition,” a performing artist stated.
Visitors relished fresh pineapple tastings, shopped for local spices, and interacted directly with cooperatives. Their experiences echoed the festival’s spirit.
A visitor from Bangalore said, “These are the tastiest pineapples in the world!” Another remarked, “The pineapples from Meghalaya taste absolutely divine, and I am deeply grateful to the farmers and people of Meghalaya.”
As the curtains fell on the Pineapple Festival, Meghalaya emerged not just as a producer of India’s sweetest fruit, but as a rising symbol of rural innovation, grass-roots entrepreneurship, and India’s agri-powered future.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan not only lauded the farmers of Meghalaya and the tastiest pineapples he has ever had, but also assured complete support from the Centre to strengthen the state’s farm-to-shelf ecosystem.
He appreciated the strategic partnerships by the Meghalaya government and said, “It is heartening to see that you have embraced public-private partnerships to ensure these products reach every home.”
Sangma said, “Meghalaya’s pineapples have taken the global market by storm, and we are happy to ensure the labour of our farmers gets the attention and the return they deserve. Our pineapples are popular not only for their sweetness but are grown organically, reflecting the care and attention our farmers provide in growing them.”
He added, “The Meghalaya Pineapple Fest also offers a glimpse into the products of our small industries and our self-help groups, showcasing the story of how our rural communities are together weaving the Atma Nirbhar future of Meghalaya.”
