Strawberry, Smiles, and Sohliya: A Berry Good Time in Meghalaya
The charm of Meghalaya’s Strawberry Festival in Sohliya, the state’s very own “Strawberry Village.” Discover how agro-tourism and strawberry farming are boosting rural livelihoods and attracting visitors to Ri Bhoi District.
The Meghalayan Age Limited, in partnership with the Departments of Tourism, Agriculture, and Farmers’ Welfare, pulled out all the stops to host the second edition of the much-anticipated Strawberry Festival at Sohliya village in Ri Bhoi District.
Now, Sohliya isn’t just any hamlet tucked away in the hills—it’s affectionately known as the “Strawberry Village” of Meghalaya, and rightly so. With lush fields, crisp mountain air, and a climate that’s just the ticket for strawberry cultivation, it’s a place where farming dreams don’t just sprout, they flourish.
The festivities were officially kicked off on Friday by the Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi, Abhilash Baranwal, who was joined by District Horticulture Officer Pranjal Datta, Sohliya headman Ostander Lyngkhoi, and a merry gathering of farmers, students, and local villagers. With everyone turning up looking as pleased as punch, it was clear the event was set to be a corker.
The goal? To give a leg-up to strawberry growers, tickle the tourists’ fancy, and breathe new life into the rural economy. And by the looks of things, they were well on their way. Stalls showcased an impressive array of strawberry delights—from jams and juices to cheeky little wines—all grown and crafted with the kind of care that’d make even a Chelsea Flower Show judge swoon.
Deputy Commissioner Baranwal, speaking with the gusto of a man who knows a good thing when he sees it, declared strawberry farming to be a “profitable venture” and hailed Sohliya’s climate as tailor-made for the fruit. He didn’t mince his words, promising the district administration’s full backing to help farmers scale up their operations. “We’re with you, come rain or shine,” was the clear message.
He went on to express hope that Sohliya’s success would prove contagious, inspiring neighbouring villages to get in on the act. And with returns as sweet as the berries themselves, it’s little wonder that more and more farmers are looking to strawberry cultivation as a golden goose—especially at a time when cushy government jobs are few and far between.
Amongst the crowd was a rather chipper gentleman from New Zealand, now a local by marriage to a Khasi woman. He gave the festival a solid thumbs-up, praising the warm hospitality and homegrown charm of the event. That said, he did have a bit of a moan about the lack of proper publicity—apparently, the festival schedule was a bit hush-hush. “A few more posters and a decent shout on social media wouldn’t have gone amiss,” he quipped.
Still, for a festival barely in its toddler years, the Strawberry Festival in Sohliya is already proving to be quite the jammy success. With a bit more buzz and perhaps a dash of razzmatazz next year, it could very well become a red-letter event on Meghalaya’s tourism calendar.
So, if you’ve a taste for the tangy, the sweet, and the slightly whimsical, do yourself a favour—pop over to Sohliya next year. It’s not every day you find a village where the berries are ripe, the people are rosy-cheeked, and the future’s looking downright fruitful.
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