Zikzak (Meghalaya): Meghalaya has marked another milestone in its agricultural exports as 10 metric tonnes of organic black pepper from South Garo Hills were recently dispatched to Mumbai.
This is the second major consignment from the region, following an 11-tonne shipment in 2023.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced the development on social media, sharing that the pepper was sourced through the Kerupara and Dingampara Integrated Village Cooperative Societies (IVCS) in the Zikzak block of South West Garo Hills. The spice was procured by Mumbai-based Everest Spices.
“This shipment reflects the growing market for Meghalaya’s organic produce,” Sangma posted on X.
“The success is powered by grassroots cooperatives supported by the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) and the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (MeLAMP), helping transform local organic black pepper—often called ‘black gold’—into a valuable economic driver.”
He added that the rising demand for organic spices is encouraging more farmers to adopt sustainable cultivation practices.
An official from the South West Garo Hills noted, “This is a proud moment for our farming community and a step forward in building a sustainable agri-business ecosystem. It proves that even the most remote areas can lead in quality production and access to premium markets.”
Currently, Meghalaya produces over 22,000 metric tonnes of spices annually—including turmeric, ginger, bay leaf, and black pepper.
With the adoption of organic methods, the state is fast becoming a leading contributor to India’s high-value spice market.
Farmers across the Garo Hills are increasingly joining cooperative efforts and embracing organic farming, turning the region into a promising hub for agri-export.
