The Government of Meghalaya is set to organise the Meghalaya Strawberry Festival 2026, a multi-location celebration of the State’s rapidly expanding strawberry cultivation sector. The festival aims to strengthen direct market access for farmers during the peak harvest season while promoting agro-tourism.
The festival will begin at Smit Village (Wah-Iing-Syiem Meadows) in East Khasi Hills District from February 25–28, 2026. It will then move to Sohliya (Football Ground, Umsning, Ri-Bhoi District) and Darechikgre, Tura (West Garo Hills District) from March 4–7, 2026.
From 50 Saplings to 1,200 Metric Tonnes
Strawberry cultivation in Meghalaya traces its origins to Sohliya in 1988, when farmers began with just 50 saplings. The introduction of drip irrigation systems in 2004, coupled with sustained institutional backing, transformed the crop into a high-value horticultural success story.
Today, Meghalaya produces nearly 1,200 metric tonnes of strawberries annually. Cultivation has expanded to over *250 villages, engaging more than *4,000 farmers, marking a significant boost to rural livelihoods.
Infrastructure, Value Addition and Market Linkages
With government support, improvements in farmgate pricing, cold chain infrastructure and processing units have strengthened the supply chain. Collaboration with the Institute of Hotel Management Shillong has further enabled value-added product development.
In his State Budget FY2026–27 address, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announced that Meghalaya will introduce the sweeter Japanese Tochiotome strawberry variety in the coming financial year — a move expected to enhance quality, improve competitiveness and increase farmer returns.
Festival Experience
Visitors to the festival can participate in:
- Strawberry picking
- Guided farm visits
- Tasting sessions
- Sales of fresh produce and processed products including jams, juices and desserts
Live performances by artists supported under the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Program (CM-MGMP), along with curated local food stalls, will add a cultural dimension to the event.
The festival is positioned not just as a harvest celebration but as a strategic platform to strengthen farmer-buyer linkages, encourage local entrepreneurship and expand agro-tourism opportunities in Meghalaya.
