Shillong, Jan 23: In a major initiative to strengthen farmer incomes and create a direct farm-to-consumer ecosystem, 1917 iTEAMS under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, with support from the Meghalaya Farmers’ (Empowerment) Commission (MEFC), the State’s Monthly Farmers’ Market will be organized on Saturday, 24 January 2026.
The event will take place at the parking area of the Directorate of Fisheries, opposite St. Edmund’s College, Shillong, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The first edition will focus on oranges and pumpkins as seasonal crops, highlighting Meghalaya’s winter harvest and enabling farmers to sell fresh produce directly to consumers.
SOMOI, a local homegrown quick-commerce app in Shillong, is partnering with the Farmers’ Markets initiative to procure produce directly from farmers, strengthening local supply chains and supporting farm-based livelihoods.
Guided by the vision of the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma to make agriculture a sustainable and dignified livelihood for every farmer in the State, the proposed market is a strategic initiative to empower farmers, promote entrepreneurship, and strengthen sustainable local economic development.
Each edition of the Monthly Farmers’ Market will feature two to three seasonal focus crops aligned with local harvest cycles. The initiative aims to providefarmers with a dedicated platform to sell their produce directly to consumers and supports local entrepreneurs engaged in agri-based, value-added, and artisanal products.
By reducing reliance on intermediaries, it aims to improve farmers’ incomes and ensure fair returns. It also promotes the consumption of fresh, local, and healthy food while strengthening urban–rural market linkages in the State.
The Farmers’ Market will also feature a live kitchen operated by members of a Van Dhan Vikas Kendra trained at the Institute of Hotel Management, Shillong. Visitors will get a taste of orange-based and pumpkin-based dishes prepared on site, offering a direct farm-to-plate experience using locally sourced ingredients.
In the long term, the initiative aims to integrate the Farmers’ Market into the Meghalaya State Tourism Calendar and position Shillong as a regular farm-to-table destination and an emerging agri-tourism hub.
