Shillong, Oct 10 In a major milestone for Meghalaya’s agricultural export capabilities, Dr. Álvaro Lario, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), alongside other state officials, today officially flagged off a commercial consignment of fresh Megha-1 turmeric bound for Singapore.
The ceremony took place at the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company Ltd. Prime Hub in Bhoirymbong, Ri-Bhoi District. The export consignment is produced and exported directly by ERBOFPC to Singapore-based importer Veg Pro PTE Ltd, operating under the State government’s flagship umbrella brand, Meghalaya Collectives.
The trade arrangement highlights the State government’s targeted strategy to transform Meghalaya’s smallholder farming ecosystem from traditional subsistence practices into market-driven, export-oriented commercial agriculture.
Through the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (Megha-LAMP), implemented by the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) in partnership with IFAD, local farmer producer organizations (FPOs) are being equipped with state-of-the-art processing infrastructure, quality control systems, and direct buyer connections.
Speaking at the flag-off event, officials emphasized that the successful export of the premium Megha-1 turmeric variety reflects the superior quality of Meghalaya’s indigenous produce and the operational maturity of its community collectives.
Supported by a US$ 3.12 million co-financing framework and specialized processing machinery for drying, grinding, and hygienic packaging at the Bhoirymbong PRIME Hub, ERBOFPC has established a reliable supply chain capable of meeting stringent international quality standards.
The ‘Meghalaya Collectives’ initiative, launched by the Government of Meghalaya, serves as an enterprise-enabling platform that bypasses traditional intermediaries, allowing local farmers to capture significantly higher profit margins and establish long-term trade partnerships across regional and global markets.
The flag-off underscores the state’s vision to position Meghalaya as a hub for high-value organic produce, proving that community-owned farmer collectives can successfully compete on the global stage.
