Meghalaya Pineapple Festival Brings Farmers, Food And Culture Together In Delhi

The fourth edition of the Meghalaya Pineapple Festival was successfully inaugurated at Dilli Haat in New Delhi on July 10, 2026, and continued to draw crowds on its second day, turning the venue into a lively celebration of the state's agriculture, food and culture. With its theme of "Bigger, Better, Bolder", the festival brought together farmers, entrepreneurs, chefs, buyers and visitors, all centred around Meghalaya's organically cultivated pineapples.

While the fruit remained the biggest attraction, the festival also offered opportunities for business, conversations with growers and cultural performances that gave visitors a closer look at Meghalaya beyond its produce.

Farmers Meet Consumers

One of the highlights of the day was the chance for visitors to interact directly with farmers from Meghalaya's key pineapple-growing regions, including Ri-Bhoi and the Garo Hills. These conversations gave people an insight into the naturally organic cultivation practices that have made Meghalaya's pineapples well known.

The festival also featured a dedicated business-to-business (B2B) space, where farmer collectives connected with retailers, institutional buyers and food processors, creating opportunities to expand market access for the state's produce.

Prin Ronghang, Chairman of Mawpyllun IVCS, described participating in the festival as a dream come true. Thanking the Government of Meghalaya and the allied departments, he said the event had helped their produce reach consumers in New Delhi while giving farmers a chance to interact directly with buyers and customers.

This is the fourth time Mawpyllun IVCS has participated in the Meghalaya Pineapple Festival since 2023. According to Ronghang, demand for Meghalaya's pineapples and other agricultural products has steadily increased over the years, reflecting the festival's growing reach.

Pineapple On Every Plate

The festival's Chef's Experience remained one of its most popular attractions, with visitors sampling a range of pineapple-based dishes that showcased the fruit's versatility.

From roasted pineapple and salads to chutneys, the tasting sessions introduced visitors to flavours they may not have tried before.

Visitor Dipti Arora said the experience had been unlike anything she had expected. She particularly enjoyed the roasted pineapple, salad and chutney, and encouraged others to visit the festival.

Renhya Umbrey, a student at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, said the festival was an important platform for farmers from the Northeast. As a horticulture student, she appreciated the quality of Meghalaya's pineapples and welcomed the opportunity for growers to reach a wider audience.

Music From Meghalaya

As evening approached, the focus shifted from food to music. Live performances under the Chief Minister's Meghalaya Grassroots Music Program (MGMP) added a cultural dimension to the festival, giving audiences a taste of the state's contemporary music scene.

Among the performers was The Peru, a band formed in 2025. The group credited the MGMP with supporting its journey through mentorship and performance opportunities.

The band also thanked Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Meghalaya Tourism for providing a platform to perform before a Delhi audience. Performing in their native Garo language, the group said the enthusiastic response from visitors made the occasion especially memorable and described it as their biggest performance in New Delhi so far.

Building On A Strong Opening Day

The festival's opening day had already set the tone for this year's edition. Union Minister for DoNER and Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma visited the festival, interacting with farmers and entrepreneurs.

The first day also saw the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Flipkart and National E-Markets Limited (NeML), a move aimed at strengthening market access for Meghalaya's pineapple growers through digital and national platforms.

Visitors also watched a film tracing the journey of Meghalaya's pineapples from the hills to international markets, while a commemorative publication titled Meghalaya Pineapple: A Four-Edition Journey was released to mark the festival's growth over the years.

The Meghalaya Pineapple Festival concludes on July 12 at Dilli Haat, New Delhi, where visitors can continue to explore the state's premium produce while supporting the farmers behind one of Meghalaya's best-known agricultural products.

FAQs

Q1. What is the Meghalaya Pineapple Festival?

The Meghalaya Pineapple Festival is an annual event that showcases the state's organically grown pineapples through farmer interactions, food experiences, cultural performances and business networking.

Q2. Where is the Meghalaya Pineapple Festival being held?

The 2026 edition is being held at Dilli Haat in New Delhi from July 10 to July 12.

Q3. What can visitors experience at the festival?

Visitors can taste pineapple-based dishes, meet farmers, enjoy live music, watch cultural performances and explore stalls featuring Meghalaya's agricultural products.

Q4. Why are Meghalaya's pineapples famous?

Meghalaya's pineapples are known for being naturally grown, exceptionally sweet, juicy and produced using largely organic cultivation practices.

Q5. How does the festival support farmers?

The festival connects farmers directly with consumers, retailers, institutional buyers and food processors, helping expand market access for Meghalaya's agricultural produce.