Shillong: Meghalaya debuted at BIOFACH 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany, pitching itself as an institution-backed organic sourcing destination from the northeast India at the world’s leading trade fair for organic food and agriculture.“With participation from over 90 countries and India recognised as ‘Country of the Year’, BIOFACH 2026 provided a strategic global platform for Meghalaya to present its integrated organic ecosystem spanning certification systems, farmer collectivisation, branding, and export-oriented value chains,” the department of agriculture and farmers’ welfare said in a statement.The state delegation was led by Vijay Kumar D, commissioner and secretary to the Govt of Meghalaya and chairman of MEGNOLIA (Meghalaya Natural and Organic Farming Society for Livelihood and Innovation in Agriculture), who outlined Meghalaya’s organic development roadmap, highlighting a community-driven model focused on institutional strength, ecological sustainability and market integration.“The presentation emphasised how farmer collectives, supported by enabling policy frameworks and certification systems, are progressively aligning with global organic standards, traceability requirements, and sustainability benchmarks. Extensive engagements were held with international buyers, certification agencies, organic traders, and development institutions to explore procurement partnerships and long-term international collaborations,” the statement said.“A defining feature of Meghalaya’s participation was the inclusion of farmer representatives from the state, reflecting Meghalaya’s farmer-centric approach to global outreach,” the release read.Trinity Saioo, a turmeric farmer from Jaintia Hills associated with high-curcumin Lakadong turmeric cultivation, said, “I never imagined that organic turmeric grown in our fields would be seen and appreciated globally. This visit helped me understand the importance of quality, certification, and value addition for better markets”.Ringnang Kongkal Sangma, a black pepper farmer from Garo Hills, said, “BIOFACH helped me understand international expectations for organic spices like black pepper. The experience has encouraged me to strengthen farmer-level collaboration”.The state’s organic expansion is being driven under the State Organic Mission 2028, which targets bringing one lakh hectares under certified organic cultivation.“Meghalaya has been consistently exporting its premium organic products worldwide, with turmeric, pineapple, ginger, Khasi mandarin, and black pepper now recognised commodities in national and international markets,” the statement highlighted.“The Govt of Meghalaya remains committed to building a robust, farmer-centric, and environmentally sustainable organic ecosystem and positioning the state as a reliable source of high-quality organic products in the global market,” the statement emphasized.