North Garo Hills farmers take up orchids under Meghalaya floriculture push

Farmers in Meghalaya's North Garo Hills district are turning to commercial orchid growing under the state government's Floriculture Mission, with 82 farmers enrolled across the 2024-25 and 2025-26 financial years.

The mission, launched in March 2024, aims to expand high-value flower farming across Meghalaya, raise farm incomes and create rural jobs through scientific and commercially viable cultivation.

Dendrobium and Vanda chosen for the district

In North Garo Hills, the programme has picked Dendrobium and Vanda orchids as its main crops because they suit the district's climate and have a ready market. Official figures show 41 farmers took up Dendrobium and 21 took up Vanda in 2024-25. Another 20 farmers were brought under Dendrobium cultivation in 2025-26.

The government has tied up with North Bengal Floritech, which supplies quality planting material, technical guidance and infrastructure support. The partnership includes a three-year buy-back arrangement meant to give growers an assured buyer and lower the risk of trying a new crop. Farmers also get help with planting material, infrastructure and training.

First earnings from cut stems

District records show growers have started producing saleable orchid stems. Two beneficiaries in Resubelpara block, Kasan K Sangma of Jonglapara and Nikre Marak of Bakra-Haluapara, have so far earned Rs 6,117 and Rs 1,759 respectively.

Harvested stems are sorted into four grades by the number of florets and stem length:

• A+ grade: 12 to 15 florets, about 45 cm long, Rs 17 per stem
• A grade: 8 to 11 florets, about 40 cm, Rs 15 per stem
• B grade: Rs 10 per stem
• C grade: Rs 7 per stem

Bigger plans for floriculture

Beyond orchids, the state mission also promotes Cymbidium, Phalaenopsis and Oriental Lilium, flowers that sell in domestic and overseas markets. The government says that by expanding production and building market links, it wants Meghalaya to become a major floriculture hub in the North East and to give farmers in rural areas another source of income alongside traditional crops.

The early revenue figures are modest, but officials see the buy-back model as a way to help first-time growers through the years it takes for orchid plants to reach full production.