Meghalaya organized the Strawberry Festival 2025 to promote agro-tourism, rural livelihoods, and cultural exchange, highlighting the state’s growing success in strawberry cultivation.
Key Festival Highlights
- Organizer: Meghalayan Age Limited (state government entity)
- Collaborators: Departments of Tourism, and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare
- Locations:
- Syntung (East Khasi Hills)
- Sohliya (Ri-Bhoi district)
- Darechigre (West Garo Hills)
- Objectives:
- Promote agro-tourism and rural entrepreneurship
- Provide platform for local farmers, women Self Help Groups (SHGs), and small-scale entrepreneurs
- Integrate agriculture, tourism, and culture for sustainable development
- Boost economic opportunities and sustainable livelihoods
- Activities:
- Cultural & recreational programs
- Workshops on making jams and baking with local strawberries (education + interactivity)
Significance
- Symbol of Community Empowerment:
- Farmers, SHGs, and entrepreneurs showcased products, attracting buyers and tourists
- Economic benefits and increased market exposure for rural producers
- Economic Impact:
- Major driver of rural income and local economy
- Strengthened agro-tourism and positioned Meghalaya as a unique tourism destination
- National Attention:
- The first edition in April 2024 drew visitors from across the country
Strawberry Cultivation in Meghalaya
- Vision: Enhance farmer livelihoods and boost economic growth by integrating strawberry cultivation with tourism.
- Government Initiatives:
- 2023: Distribution of strawberry saplings and planting materials
- Future Goal: Expand cultivation to 100 acres initially, with potential to scale up to 500 acres
- Production Data:
- 2023: 1,196 metric tonnes
- 2024: 1,220 metric tonnes (increase of 24 metric tonnes)