Shillong, Sept 10: The Meghalaya Buckwheat Global Showcase 2022 opened it’s first ever 2-day buckwheat showcase in the State at IHM Campus, Mawdiangdiang, Shillong on Friday.
The event is being organised on September 9-10, 2022, to empower Meghalaya farmers under the Meghalaya Farmers (Empowerment) Commission.
The Chief Guest of the event, Pyniaid Sing Syiem, on Friday thanked the Japanese Ambassador who visited Shillong earlier and had taken interest in the State of Meghalaya and sent Kyoko Hokugo, Minister (Economic), Watanabe, Secretary Agriculture and other officials to help the farmers of the State understand the benefits and potential of Buckwheat that can strengthen the farmers of the State.
“Buckwheat is now known globally as a super food because of its rich fibre protein and low gluten content. Buckwheat is now being widely recommended by nutritionist to prevent lifestyle induced diabetes. We are aware that there is a huge pent up demand for buckwheat globally and there is a corresponding need to increase it’s production in our country,” Syiem said.
Chairman of the Meghalaya Farmers (Empowerment) Commission, K. N. Kumar, talked about the prospects of Buckwheat not only as beneficial to health, but also mentioned about the minimal effort required in the production of Buckwheat and the expansion phase and upliftment of the livelihood of the farmers.
“This is a game changer for the State of Meghalaya especially from our farming community’s perspective. Meghalaya Buckwheat Global Showcase is a unique event being attempted by us for the first time not just in the state, not just in the region but in the whole country. There is a reason for that because we don’t actually produce, we are an importer. Infact the global buckwheat market is growing at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.2% and is expected to reach a market value of around USD 2 billion by 2027. So that means in the next 4-5 years buckwheat turnover is expected to be around 2 billion dollars (US),” he said.
Furthermore, he added that this cultivation program is an opportunity for youth entrepreneurial innovation to unfold with more prospects for processing and production.
