Shillong, Mar 30: The National Design Centre, along with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), organised a one-day international buyer-seller meet in the city on Tuesday.
More than 20 stalls were set up by local producers who interacted with 16 exporters, both national and international. The programme was a platform for local producers of both processed and unprocessed food items — like mushrooms, pickles, spices, fruits — to meet direct buyers.
Sita Maya Koch, president of Selsella Cashewnut Cluster, and Purnima Koch, secretary of AK Mushroom, told Meghalaya Monitor that the event was encouraging for growers, especially from rural areas.
Sita’s group of over 40 members not only grow cashew but also package them and sell in nearby markets.
Purnima grows oyster mushrooms and her group consists of about 20 members. “We grow oysters both in summer and winter. Now is the time to start cultivating the summer variety, which is pink in colour,” she said.
Dr Archana Nath, consultant for APEDA, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said there were buyers from Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Greece, Bangladesh and the UAE.
“We are looking forward to buying unprocessed produce, especially vegetables, which are currently procured from states like West Bengal. The import distance will reduce if we buy from Meghalaya,” said Sangay Leda, general manager of SL Tshongkang Company.
