SHILLONG: In a major initiative to strengthen farmers’ incomes and establish a direct farm-to-consumer ecosystem, the Meghalaya Government will launch the State’s first Monthly Farmers’ Market in Shillong on Saturday, January 24, 2026.
The initiative is being organised by 1917 iTEAMS under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, with support from the Meghalaya Farmers’ (Empowerment) Commission (MEFC). The inaugural market will be held 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 of the Farmers’ Market will spotlight oranges and pumpkins, showcasing Meghalaya’s winter harvest and enabling farmers to sell fresh, locally grown produce directly to consumers. By eliminating intermediaries, the initiative seeks to ensure fair prices for farmers while offering consumers access to fresh, seasonal, and nutritious food.
SOMOI, a Shillong-based homegrown quick-commerce app, has partnered with the Farmers’ Market initiative to procure produce directly from farmers. The collaboration aims to strengthen local supply chains and support sustainable, farm-based livelihoods across the State.
The initiative aims to make agriculture a sustainable, dignified, and income-generating livelihood for farmers in Meghalaya. It is designed to promote entrepreneurship, support agri-based value-added enterprises, and strengthen the local economy.
Each edition of the Monthly Farmers’ Market will feature two to three seasonal crops aligned with local harvest cycles. In addition to fresh produce, the market will also provide a platform for local entrepreneurs engaged in agri-based, value-added, and artisanal products, helping to create stronger urban–rural market linkages.
Adding a unique experiential element, the market will feature a live kitchen operated by members of a Van Dhan Vikas Kendra, trained at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Shillong. Visitors will be able to sample orange-based and pumpkin-based dishes prepared on-site, offering a true farm-to-plate experience using locally sourced ingredients.
In the long term, the Meghalaya Government aims to integrate the Monthly Farmers’ Market into the Meghalaya State Tourism Calendar, positioning Shillong as a regular farm-to-table destination and an emerging agri-tourism hub in the Northeast.
