Meghalaya’s organic agricultural produce is gaining international market access, with a consignment of turmeric from Ri-Bhoi district flagged off for Singapore during a visit by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) President Álvaro Lario on October 10.
Lario visited farmer cooperatives and agricultural processing facilities to assess the progress of the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (Megha-LAMP), which aims to strengthen rural livelihoods, improve agricultural productivity and expand market opportunities for farmers.
The delegation first visited the Umwang Pyllun Integrated Village Cooperative Society (IVCS) in Umwang village. The cooperative supports farmers cultivating pineapple, ginger and bay leaves through collective marketing, financial services and access to agricultural machinery.
Commending the community’s efforts, Lario highlighted the importance of collective action in connecting rural producers with markets.
Supported by USD 61,950 in IFAD financing, the cooperative serves 167 members across 105 households, with women accounting for 41 per cent of its membership. It handles more than 120 metric tonnes of pineapple, 55 metric tonnes of ginger and 136 metric tonnes of bay leaves.
Its Custom Hiring Centre provides farmers with access to agricultural machinery, helping reduce labour constraints and improve the efficiency of farming operations.
Organic turmeric shipment flagged off for Singapore
The delegation subsequently visited the Prime Hub of Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company Ltd in Bhoirymbong, where organic spices are collected, processed and packaged for wider markets.
During the visit, Lario toured the processing facility, which handles the washing, drying, grinding and packaging of ginger and turmeric. He also interacted with farmer groups and local entrepreneurs before flagging off a turmeric consignment destined for Singapore.
Backed by USD 3.12 million in co-financing, the facility is designed to benefit 5,500 participants and has an annual processing capacity of 10,000 metric tonnes.
The hub operates through village-level collection centres, warehouses and farmers’ markets, enabling producers to supply agricultural commodities for processing. The initiative aims to help farmers earn greater returns by moving beyond the sale of raw produce to value-added products.
Women farmers highlight livelihood improvements
Women farmers who interacted with the delegation said the project had helped their families secure more dependable incomes through collective pineapple cultivation and enterprise support.
They reported that improved earnings had enabled them to meet household expenses, including their children’s educational needs, while also creating employment opportunities for women and young people in their communities.
The visit highlighted the collaboration between IFAD and the Meghalaya government to promote sustainable rural development through community-led institutions, agricultural infrastructure, value addition and improved access to domestic and international markets.
The shipment to Singapore marks an important step in expanding the reach of Meghalaya’s organic produce and creating new opportunities for farmers in Ri-Bhoi district.