Organized by the Meghalaya Farmers’ (Empowerment) Commission and starring one of the State’s under-utilized and under-appreciated but recently re-discovered superfoods of our times, Fagopyrum esculentum and Fagopyrum tataricum, the Meghalaya Global Buckwheat Showcase 2022 is a first of its kind B2B celebration and shoutout to the global community about the coming of age of Meghalaya as the most organized go-to destination in the country for all things Buckwheat with focus on networking and business development in order to not only facilitate and induce the widespread cultivation of Buckwheat in the state, but to also provide farmers, food processing entrepreneurs, hospitality captains, the HoReCa, service and export sectors an opportunity to network with, collaborate and interact with producers, industry experts, value chain actors and processors to bring about profitable and innovative changes in the entire buckwheat value chain.

Buckwheat stands out as an earth-friendly, sustainable crop with several benefits to the soil, water, human health and more!
1. A gluten free, fiber rich Superfood and healthy food choice for Type 2 diabetics as it moderates blood sugar levels
2. Buckwheat is a complete protein and nutritionally far superior to wheat and rice with a higher concentration of lysine as compared to cereals. Very important for vegans.
3. Richer in antioxidants and flavonoids like rutin and quercetin which strengthen the blood vessels and reduces inflammation
4. Regular consumption reduces the chances of developing cardiovascular disease, colon and breast cancer.
5. One of the easiest crops to grow with a very short duration of 70 to 90 days
6. Zero requirement of chemical fertilizers and no pesticides/fungicides. Ideal for small and marginal farmers.
7. Minimal tillage requirement. Ideal for no-till cropping systems which is much more farmer and environmentally friendly through carbon sequestration.
8. One of the best forage crops for honeybees and supports healthy populations of other beneficial insects. Growing buckwheat nearby can deter pests of potato, broccoli, green beans, and other vegetable crops, in part by providing abundant food for female hoverflies.
9. Buckwheat honey has greater antioxidant activity than Manuka honey yet is cheaper than Manuka
10. Buckwheat honey has the same antibacterial effects against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus as Manuka honey and has also been shown to be particularly effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

To create awareness of the income and business generating potential of the crop amongst farmers and agri-enterprises of Meghalaya and the country by providing a platform for

• Direct interaction of buckwheat farmers with potential buckwheat buyers, processors and end consumers like Restaurants/ Hotels/ Food Processing Companies / Wholesalers/ Traders, etc.
• Promoting Buckwheat as the next potential cash crop for the state of Meghalaya and the North East.
• Creating awareness about the health benefits of Buckwheat and the economic gains that can be realised from production & processing of this crop.
• Networking of primary producers, secondary producers with industry experts and government agencies for expanding the adoption of buckwheat and its byproducts.
• Developing linkages between primary producers, secondary producers and wholesale / retail buyers.
• Providing agri-enterprises an opportunity to experience and learn to make value-added products from Buckwheat like Ready to Eat and Ready to Cook Buckwheat Noodles, Buckwheat Flour, Bakery Products, Buckwheat Honey, Buckwheat oil etc.
• To increase awareness among all agriculture stakeholders – Farmers, policy makers and practitioners, Agriculture Students, Officials and Extension Program Facilitators.