Shillong/Mumbai: The Government of Meghalaya will organise the first Meghalaya Spice Festival from January 30 to February 1, 2026, at Jio World Drive, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai, to showcase the State’s premium spices and strengthen market access, value addition, and export linkages for farmers and producer enterprises.
The festival aims to connect Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), cooperatives and MSMEs from Meghalaya with buyers, exporters, retail chains, HoReCa players, nutraceutical brands and institutional buyers. The initiative seeks to position Meghalaya as a key source of high-quality, traceable and sustainably produced spices.
The festival will feature Meghalaya’s leading spice products, including GI-tagged Lakadong turmeric, globally recognised for its high curcumin content, along with ginger, black pepper, bay leaves, cinnamon, and indigenous spice blends. These products reflect the State’s strong focus on natural and organic farming, quality certification, branding and value addition.
Speaking on the occasion, Conrad K. Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, said, “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 farmers and producer groups to access national and global platforms. This is not only about promoting Lakadong turmeric, ginger and other premium spices, but about ensuring sustainable livelihoods, stable incomes and long-term economic growth for rural communities. Our vision is to position Meghalaya as a leading hub of high-value, organic and GI-tagged agricultural products, driven by quality, value addition and entrepreneurship.”
Designed as a flagship market-facing initiative, the festival will facilitate B2B meetings, buyer–seller interactions, culinary demonstrations, and farmer-led storytelling, alongside a Brand Meghalaya Pavilion showcasing government initiatives in agriculture, livelihoods and rural enterprise development.
The initiative aligns with the Government’s mission to bring one lakh hectares under organic cultivation by 2028 and its broader efforts to build sustainable spice value chains that enhance farmer incomes. Hosting the festival in Mumbai—India’s commercial hub—will provide direct access to national and international spice trade networks, processors, retailers and exporters.
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, Timothy Shira, Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, said, “The agriculture sector is the backbone of Meghalaya’s economy, and our farmers are at the heart of this transformation. The Meghalaya Spice Festival reflects our commitment to strengthening the entire value chain—from production and processing to branding and marketing. By opening new markets and encouraging value addition, we aim to enhance farmers’ incomes, improve economic security, and create resilient agri-based enterprises. This platform will empower farmers and all associated stakeholders—FPOs, SHGs, cooperatives and MSMEs—to compete in premium markets while preserving the authenticity of Meghalaya’s organic and indigenous spices.”
Adding cultural vibrancy to the festival, performances under the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (CM-MGMP) will be showcased. The event aims to boost farmer incomes, promote rural enterprises, and establish Meghalaya as a leading spice destination in India and beyond.
