Shillong: Renowned for its lush landscapes and rich biodiversity, Meghalaya is emerging as a key player in India’s organic farming movement. The state has launched various initiatives to transform agricultural practices and promote sustainable livelihoods for its farmers. These efforts include implementing several schemes from both the Central and State Governments, with a focus on converting agricultural land into certified organic farms.
A standout initiative is the Meghalaya Organic Value Chain Development for the Northeastern Region (MOVCDNER), alongside the State Organic Mission, which aims to convert and maintain 100,000 hectares of land as certified organic. Currently, 24,000 hectares have received certification, with an additional 8,000 hectares in the process of conversion.
In support of these initiatives, the Meghalaya State Organic and Natural Farming Policy was approved by the Cabinet on January 11, 2023. The policy outlines key goals, including promoting organic farming as a viable income-generating activity, building capacity, encouraging investment and technological development, and boosting farmers’ income through training, value addition, and market linkages.
To ensure the policy’s effective implementation, the Meghalaya Natural and Organic Society for Livelihood and Innovation in Agriculture (MEGNOLIA) was established on June 1, 2023. Registered under the Societies Registration Act, MEGNOLIA functions as the apex body under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, responsible for overseeing and coordinating the Organic and Natural Farming Policy in the state. Its core objectives include managing policy implementation, supporting Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) in professionalizing organic production and marketing, fostering agro-industrial growth with ecological sustainability, facilitating technology transfer, and promoting knowledge sharing among stakeholders.
Certification is crucial in organic farming, and Meghalaya now has its own APEDA-certified organic certification body, the Meghalaya State Organic Certification Body, under the Planning Department. This makes it the second certification agency in the Northeast, after Sikkim. With this agency, the certification process for local farmers is streamlined, eliminating the need to rely on certification bodies from other regions of India.
A significant milestone in the state’s organic farming journey was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between MEGNOLIA and the National Cooperatives of Organic Limited (NCOL) on September 20, 2024, during the World Food India event. This partnership aims to enhance the procurement, marketing, and sale of organic products from Meghalaya. MEGNOLIA will connect certified organic farmers with NCOL, assist in obtaining procurement approvals, and cover certification costs. In return, NCOL will handle the purchase of organic products, manage logistics, and ensure farmers and service providers receive direct compensation. This collaboration represents a major step forward in establishing a sustainable and profitable organic farming model in Meghalaya, improving farmer livelihoods while promoting environmental stewardship.
Through these government-led initiatives, driven by the organic farming policy and MEGNOLIA’s leadership, Meghalaya is poised for a bright future in organic agriculture. Strategic partnerships, such as the one with NCOL, position the state to meet the rising demand for organic produce while championing sustainable farming practices that benefit both farmers and the environment.
