From CK Nayak
NEW DELHI, March 11: Signature products of Meghalaya such as Lakadong turmeric, Mandarin oranges, Kiwi pineapple, organic ginger and native wild honey received wide international exposure with the state’s maiden participation at AAHAR, Asia’s premier food and hospitality trade show here.
Inaugurating the mega event, Principal Secretary, Commissioner and Resident Commissioner Sampath Kumar said that the state government, through this event, is ensuring that Meghalaya’s indigenous organic agricultural and artisanal products reach larger markets. This will enable local producers and entrepreneurs to connect directly with food industry players outside the state and even the country.
The event provides a strategic platform to integrate Meghalaya’s producers and entrepreneurs directly into the broader industry supply chain, Kumar said. This strategic step will economically advance local producers and entrepreneurs, he added.
Beyond unlocking networking opportunities, the participation also targets capacity building, offering local entrepreneurs the opportunity to engage with commercial buyers, branding experts and the packaging industry to strengthen and scale their operations, Kumar said.
This crucial platform for local innovation will boost initiatives such as the PRIME incubation programme and the Meghalaya State Agriculture Marketing Board (MEGAMB), which empower local entrepreneurs to present authentic, high-value products from Meghalaya to the world, he said.
“These kinds of events are very helpful for the entrepreneurs because we can connect our culture and significant values to the rest of the world,” stated Kumar, while congratulating the collaborative efforts of stakeholders such as Meghalaya House Delhi, Meghalaya Age Limited, Directorate of Food Processing (DoFP), PRIME Meghalaya, the Meghalaya Natural and Organic Farming Society for Livelihood and Innovation in Agriculture (MEGNOLIA), the Directorate of Horticulture, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Meghalaya Collectives.
The state’s curated pavilion showcasing premium agricultural and artisanal products, along with value-added items such as natural juices, lemongrass tea, pickles and traditional handicrafts, drew impressive footfalls on the first day itself.
The platform promotes trade and ensures regional producers secure essential industry connections for lasting commercial success.
This is the 40th edition of AAHAR, one of Asia’s most prominent B2B trade platforms for the food and hospitality sectors, being held at Bharat Mandapam.
More than 1,700 exhibitors from different parts of India and abroad are showcasing food products, processing technology and hospitality equipment.
Major global brands like Cargill are participating, while Meghalaya has made its debut this year to showcase its indigenous organic products.
Many visitors experienced the premium offerings firsthand on the opening day.
The 40th edition of the AAHAR International Food and Hospitality Fair in New Delhi was inaugurated by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
The event is organised jointly by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) and the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) from March 10 to 14, 2026, with Italy as the partner country.
The 40th anniversary event symbolises India’s holistic ‘Farm to Fork’ approach, connecting agricultural strength with global trade and modern technology, and marks a celebration of four decades of excellence in the industry.
