SHILLONG — Meghalaya exported one Metric Tonne (MT) of Khasi Mandarin oranges to Dubai through Air India Cargo, officials said on Tuesday. Meghalaya government’s Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare exported the season’s first consignment of Khasi Mandarin, which was transported via Air India Cargo from Guwahati Customs to Dubai on Monday, marking the first-ever direct export shipment from the northeastern region using this route. The Khasi Mandarin oranges obtained the Geographical Identification (GI) tag in 2014. An official of the Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department said that the initiative represents a crucial step towards integrating Meghalaya’s farmers with global markets while addressing longstanding logistical and economic challenges. He said that the department has been proactive in promoting its niche produce globally. In collaboration with key partners like Lulu Group International, Mother Dairy Fruits and Vegetables Pvt Ltd, and the National Cooperative for Organic Limited (NCOL), the state is connecting the state’s farmers to global markets, the official pointed out. He said that the export activities began in 2022 with a trial shipment of 5 MT of Khasi Mandarin and Pineapples to the Middle East, supported by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Union...