Shillong: Meghalaya government has launched the Strawberry Festival 2026 at Wah-Ling-Syiem Meadows in Smit village, marking a major push towards promoting agro-tourism, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods through strawberry cultivation.
The festival has been designed to create direct market access for farmers and entrepreneurs, allowing them to engage directly with buyers without intermediaries.
Stalls at the venue showcased fresh strawberries along with a wide range of value-added products, including jams, juices, desserts, wines and other processed items, offering visitors a farm-to-table experience.
Addressing the event, East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner R. M. Kurbah highlighted the growing commercial and export potential of strawberries and their by-products.
She said both state and central government schemes are available to support high-value agriculture and supply chain development, including initiatives such as PRIME, and urged farmers to engage with the Horticulture Department to benefit from these programmes.
She informed that the state government is currently distributing three strawberry varieties—Winter Dawn, Sweet Sensation and Festival—and outlined the support package for farmers, which includes plantation materials, irrigation pipes and water storage facilities for sustainable cultivation.
Farmers, she said, are being encouraged to utilise government schemes to improve productivity and income.
The festival also aligns with the state’s long-term agricultural vision.
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In his recent budget speech, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced that Meghalaya will introduce the sweeter Japanese Tochiotome strawberry variety in the coming financial year to strengthen market positioning and enhance farmers’ earnings.
Strawberry cultivation in Meghalaya has now expanded to more than 250 villages, supporting over 4,000 growers across the state.
Among them is Drasing Suting of Umsawwar village in Mawkynrew Block, a former daily wage earner who turned to strawberry farming and found it to be a sustainable livelihood option.
He said the festival recognises farmers’ efforts and thanked the Tourism Department for providing a platform to connect directly with buyers without middlemen.
The Strawberry Festival at Smit village will run from February 25 to 28, 2026. Similar events will be held at Sohliya Football Ground in Umsning, Ri-Bhoi district, and at Darechikgre in Tura, West Garo Hills district, from March 4 to 7, 2026, as part of the statewide celebrations.
