The 1st Northeast India Organic Week and the 4th World Organic Youth Summit were held in the State of Meghalaya, India. The 1st Northeast India Organic Week will be an annual event hosted by APEDA and IFOAM – Organics Asiatogether with the state governments of Northeast India. The events are expected to become a significant milestone in the development of organic agriculture in the region. An international buyer-seller delegation from more than twenty countries was also part of the event.

The event brought together international buyers, organic sector representatives, youth leaders, and policymakers to strengthen regional collaboration, organic trade, and market access opportunities for producers from Northeast India. Products showcased included spices, teas, fruits, specialty rice, floriculture products, and the region’s well-known Lakadong turmeric.

This year’s theme focused on creating a generational dialogue between organic pioneers and youth from around the world, with the aim of inspiring young people to become part of the rapidly growing organic sector. Organic pioneers from farming communities, government institutions, international organizations, companies, and educational institutions shared their experiences, knowledge, and perspectives on organic agriculture, while encouraging the younger generation to pursue sustainable livelihoods and careers in the sector.

The summit also featured discussions on regenerative agriculture, organic certification, labelling requirements, and emerging export opportunities. The two-day conference was followed by a field visit to organic mandarin farms in the mountains of Meghalaya, offering participants a closer look at the region’s farming systems and organic practices.