Mumbai, Feb 28: The aroma of Lakadong turmeric, fresh ginger and indigenous spices from the hills of Meghalaya marked the opening of the Meghalaya Spice Festival at Jio World Drive, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), Mumbai today, drawing buyers, chefs, HoReCa players, exporters and consumers to a vibrant showcase of the State’s high-value spice economy.
Organised by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, the three-day festival (February 27–March 1) is open to visitors from 1 PM to 10 PM, offering Mumbai a direct engagement with Meghalaya’s rich spice heritage and expanding agri-market footprint.
The festival comes amid a significant agricultural transformation in the State. Agriculture’s contribution to Meghalaya’s Gross State Domestic Product has more than doubled over the past six years, from ₹5,977.91 crore in 2018–19 to ₹12,332.26 crore in 2024–25, driven by a strategic shift towards high-value crops, processing infrastructure and stronger market linkages.
At the centre of this transformation is GI-tagged Lakadong turmeric, globally recognised for its high curcumin content of 7–12 per cent. Meghalaya’s black pepper now ranks among the top three nationally, while ginger exports have reached international markets, including Dubai. The State produces over 16,000 metric tonnes of spices annually, supported by expanding organic cultivation and structured farmer collectives ensuring quality and traceability.
The festival highlights this evolution from subsistence farming to organised, value-driven spice value chains, supported by processing hubs and branding initiatives that are strengthening domestic and export positioning.
Curated live performances by artists under the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Programme are being held each evening, adding cultural vibrancy to the marketplace atmosphere.
With immersive tasting experiences, direct farmer-to-market interactions, and a celebration of Meghalaya’s distinctive flavours, the festival invites Mumbai, this weekend to discover the spice story of India’s Northeast bold, organic and globally ambitious.