Shillong, Meghalaya In a major push towards sustainable agriculture, the Government of Meghalaya has set an ambitious goal to bring 1 lakh hectares (100,000 ha) of farmland under certified organic cultivation by 2028 as part of its State Organic Mission 2024-28.
This target represents roughly 25 % of the state’s cultivated area, reflecting a strong commitment to eco-friendly farming and biodiversity conservation.
Why This Matters
- The mission focuses on expanding organic agriculture while preserving Meghalaya’s natural ecosystem and traditional farming heritage. Organic methods avoid synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, promoting long-term soil health and environmental sustainability.
- Meghalaya’s agricultural identity is deeply intertwined with organic practices, and the government aims to leverage this strength to position the state as a global organic hub.
Key Components of the Organic Mission
Under the mission, the government is:
- Training and empowering farmers in certified organic techniques, soil health management, and water conservation.
- Strengthening market linkages to national and international buyers, ensuring better prices and value-added opportunities for organic produce.
- Supporting the establishment and expansion of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) to enable collective action and improved access to markets.
Promoting Organic Trade and Global Presence
Meghalaya has been actively positioning itself on the world stage:
- At BIOFACH 2026 the world’s leading organic trade fair in Germany the state showcased its organic ecosystem, highlighting products like Lakadong turmeric, pineapple, ginger, Khasi mandarin, and black pepper.
- This international engagement underscores Meghalaya’s efforts to build institutional support, improve traceability, and expand organic export markets.
Vision and Impact
- By converting large swathes of land to certified organic farming, Meghalaya aims not only to protect biodiversity and natural resources, but also to boost farmer incomes and rural livelihoods.
The mission aligns with broader goals of doubling farmers’ incomes and strengthening local agricultural value chains by the end of the decade.
Originally written by: Arun Dhital
Link to the article: https://swarajyamag.com/news-brief/meghalaya-targets-1-lakh-hectares-under-organic-farming-by-2028
