Shillong, July 9: In a move that strengthens Meghalaya’s goal to become a national leader in organic agriculture, the Meghalaya Natural and Organic Society for Livelihood and Innovation in Agriculture (MEGNOLIA) facilitated the signing of a significant Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) today between Mother India Farms, a Bengaluru-based organic Agri-enterprise, and Tomonpo Anglong Organic Farmers Producer Company Ltd., a farmer collective based in Ri-Bhoi district.
The agreement is set to enhance the integration of Meghalaya’s certified organic produce, starting with the state’s premium Kew variety pineapples, into national and global supply chains. Nearly 300 registered farmers under TomonpoAnglong Organic FPC currently cultivate this crop across six villages in Ri-Bhoi.
Dr. Vijay Kumar D, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, in his interaction with the team from Mother India Farms enlightened them of the presence of Farmer Producer Groups (FPOs), processing units in the state.
He stated, “We will be happy to support.Our aim is to enhance the income of farmers.” He said that the Government is looking forward to having advance certification processes and take the produce to the global market.
Healso expressed his optimism stating that the technical expertise and setting up of plants, will benefit the farmer-producer groups who are engaged in a number of agricultural produce such as pineapples, turmeric, and others.
Mr. R. Durairaj, CEO, Mother India Farms,stated,“We are confident in Meghalaya, we can do better. FoodChain ID isalso guiding us.” He stated the importance of obtaining necessary certifications to market the state’s products to international markets, and the MoA is a crucial step in this regard.
Founded in 2017 under the MOVCD-NER scheme with support from the Directorate of Horticulture, Tomonpo has expanded to manage over 500 hectares of certified organic farmland and produces 600-800 metric tonnes of pineapples annually.
Over the past six years, the collective has built a reputation for quality and consistency, supplying to institutional buyers including Mother Dairy and Reliance Fresh.
Under the terms of the MoA, Mother India Farms will fully finance and implement the Internal Control System (ICS), including training, internal inspections, data management, and organic certification facilitation, at no cost to the farmers.
The company will also oversee the procurement and marketing of certified produce and extend organic price premiums based on market conditions and quality standards.
This collaboration is seen as a major step in building a farmer-centric, market-ready ecosystem. It aligns with Meghalaya’s broader vision to transform into an organic hub by empowering farmer institutions and securing long-term livelihoods.
In addition to pineapples, Tomonpo farmers also grow certified organic ginger, black sticky rice,Khasi Mandarin, banana, and guava. As the state gears up for the Meghalaya Pineapple Festival 2025, the MoA showcases how farmer groups in the state are ready to scale their presence in premium, export-oriented organic markets.
The Government of Meghalaya continues to work toward sustainable rural development through institutional partnerships like this, strengthening the Agri-economy, and reaffirming State’s position as a reliable source of clean, traceable, organic produce.
Other dignitaries present in the event were SmtB.MylliemUmlong, Director Horticulture; Shri M.Lyngdoh Suiam, Chief Administrative Officer, MEGNOLIA;Shri Pranjal J.Dutta, District Horticulture Officer, Ri Bhoi; Shri Raghavendra MT, Senior General Manager- Operations & Special Projects; Smti Chinmayee Deulgaonkar, Managing Director, FoodChain ID, signatories John Lyngdoh, CEO of TomonpoAnglong Organic Producer Company Limitedamong others.
