Shillong, January 24 : The Government of Meghalaya today launched the January edition of the Monthly Farmers’ Market in Shillong, an initiative aimed at boosting farmer incomes through direct farm-to-consumer linkages. The market, organized by 1917 iTEAMS under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare with support from the Meghalaya Farmers’ (Empowerment) Commission, featured local farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, and allied sectors including fisheries and animal husbandry.
This edition of the market showcased Meghalaya’s winter produce, particularly oranges and pumpkins, while promoting value addition and local entrepreneurship. Over 30 curated stalls, including 17 farmer-led stalls, offered fresh produce directly to consumers. A live kitchen managed by Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) members trained at the Institute of Hotel Management, Shillong, demonstrated innovative orange- and pumpkin-based dishes, generating sales exceeding ₹20,000.
A key highlight was the collaboration with SOMOI, a Shillong-based quick-commerce app, which facilitated online sales and delivery of local farm products. The integration of digital platforms ensured that all participating farmers were sold out by the end of the event, reflecting strong consumer demand for local, fresh, and traceable produce.
The initiative aligns with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s vision of making agriculture a sustainable and dignified livelihood for farmers. The Farmers’ Market serves as a strategic platform to promote fair pricing, entrepreneurship, and value addition, while giving consumers access to safe and affordable local produce.
Principal Secretary, Harish Chandra Choudhary, IFS, lauded the initiative, stating that Meghalaya’s fertile land and diverse crops offer immense potential for scaling up farming. Sharing his personal experience as a farmer, he said such efforts bridge the gap between rural producers and urban consumers.
Victoria Tongper, a farmer from Mawshun, Pynursla, expressed gratitude to the government for enabling direct market access, saying the initiative has instilled confidence and transparency in the selling process.
Chairman of the Meghalaya Farmers’ Empowerment Commission, P. S. Thangkhiew, stated that the initiative would soon be extended to other district headquarters, ensuring that more farmers benefit from fair and transparent marketing opportunities. He emphasized that the programme must remain farmer-centric, acknowledging the vital role of digital partners like SOMOI in expanding market access.
Saloni Verma, IAS, Director of 1917 iTEAMS, said the long-term goal is to turn the Farmers’ Market into a monthly community event that merges agriculture, tourism, and local entrepreneurship. “If we can create a marketplace once a month that combines fresh agricultural produce with tourism value, it will be something both locals and visitors can look forward to,” she said.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Departments of Agriculture, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, MBMA, and Horticulture, alongside community leaders and local farmers.
