A watershed moment for Meghalaya’s agriculture has been achieved with the successful dispatch of 15 metric tons of ginger to Dubai, the state’s inaugural sea shipment of this prized commodity. The landmark export, orchestrated by the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company (FPC), signifies a substantial leap in the region’s ability to access international markets, with vital backing from the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and the Meghalaya government.
Abhishek Dev, Chairman of APEDA, emphasized the pivotal role of sea shipments in ensuring cost-effectiveness, stating during the flag-off ceremony in Shillong, “Sea shipment is crucial as it ensures cost competitiveness. With our dedicated sea protocol and close coordination among stakeholders, I’m confident our shipments will be well received in the UAE market.” This initiative effectively bypasses the traditional reliance on intermediaries, a longstanding challenge for Meghalaya’s farmers plagued by fragmented landholdings and limited access to credit.
The Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic FPC, which began its journey in 2017, has experienced remarkable growth, currently supporting over 500 farmers across nine villages. The cooperative’s modernization of its processing facilities, including washing, slicing, drying, and packaging, has resulted in a dramatic revenue surge, from ₹17 lakh in 2018-19 to ₹374 lakh in 2023-24. “The farmers are the owners of the cooperatives, and these cooperatives provide them security and hope for the future,” remarked Abdelkarim Sma, Country Director of IFAD, who attended the ceremony, highlighting the cooperative’s positive impact on the community.
To further bolster the state’s export capabilities, the Meghalaya government is constructing one of Northeast India’s pioneering organically certified spice processing units in Bhoirymbong, Ri-Bhoi District. This ₹21 crore facility, supported by IFAD, is projected to process over 10,000 metric tons of spices annually, benefiting 5,500 organic farmers. The facility will provide enhanced storage, solar-powered processing, and direct linkages to international buyers, thereby improving farmer remuneration and contributing to the state’s economic growth through high-value agricultural exports.
This expansion into the ginger market builds upon previous APEDA-supported exports of GI-tagged Khasi Mandarin and organic pineapple. Officials are now encouraging producers to prepare for Gulf Food 2026, where India will be featured as a partner country, signaling a continued focus on expanding Meghalaya’s footprint in the global agricultural market.