The State Agricultural Produce Marketing Act was enacted in the year 1980 and the State Agricultural Marketing Board was set up in 1983 with its headquarter at Shillong, to develop marketing infrastructural facilities and to provide marketing support to the farmers in the State. In the year 1991, with the assistance of the Centre for Agricultural Marketing, Government of India located at Jaipur, detailed survey was conducted and a master plan for development of marketing infrastructures in Meghalaya was prepared. Accordingly, it was proposed to set up secondary markets in each District in the State which are called Wholesale Regulated Markets. Thus, land was made available at Mawiong in the East Khasi-Hills District, Garobadha in the West Garo Hills District and Williamnagar in the East Garo Hills District.

As per the APMC Act 1980, the Board’s mandate are:-

1. Implementation of the provisions of the Act for better regulation of buying and selling of notified agricultural produce in the State.

2. Provision of infrastructural facilities in each new regulated market after aquisition of land with amenities like godown, auction platform, traders shop, retailers shop, rest house for fammers, bank, post office, internals roads etc.

3.General improvement in the marketing efficiency and promoting discipline among the trading community and other market functionaries by introducing the licensing system in the market yards.

4. Provision for the financially weak market committees in the form of grants and loanse etc. to enable them to discharge their functions and duties effectively.

5. Propaganda and publicity on matters relating to regulated marketing of agricultural and horticultural produce in the regulated market.

6. Provision of facilities for grading and standardisation of agricultural produce in the markets.

7. Training of officers and staff members of the market committees.

8. Adoption of suitable measures and device to promote the interest of the committee for general improvement in the marketing of agricultural produce and to safeguard the interest of the growers and the licensees.

9. Formulation and adoption of policies to facilitate control over market committees without hindering their day to day functions.

Other matters on which the Board may frame Bye -laws:-

A) Grading of agricultural produce as per AGMARK standards.

B) Improvement of the market and the market areas.

C) Classification of the committees on the basis of their income and other related factors.

D) The maintenance of staff quarters and other buildings belonging to the Board or to the Market Committee.

E) Provision of rules and regulations for executing contracts on behalf of the Board or the Market Committee.

F) The method of making propaganda of publicity and holding demonstrations for popularising the scheme under the Act.

G) Such other matter, which may, in the opinion of the Board promote the transaction of agricultural produce in the market.

Presently, the marketing Board is being funded by the State Department of Agriculture through grant-in-aid every year. With the establishment of regulated markets in the State, the Board was able to obtain financial assistance from the Government of India for the development and modernisation of agricultural marketing in the State.

Group I Jute(Bale and Unbaled), Cotton (Ginned and Unginned), Mesta

Group II Paddy, Rice, Chira, Khai, Wheat and Wheat products, Maize, Other Millets, Paddy Husks, Rice Bran and Polish

Group III Sesamum or Til, Mustard

Group IV Mandarin, Orange, Other Citus Fruits, Pineapple, Banana, Papaya, Pear, Plum, Peach

Group V Potato, Sweet Potato, Tomato, Leafy & Fresh Vegetables, Yam

Group VI Turmeric( Whole or Powdered), Ginger, Chillies(Dry and Green), Black Pepper, Betelnut, Betel Leaf, Tezpatta

Group VII Eggs, Poultry, Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Buffaloes, Milk, Butter and Cream, Ghee, Wool, Hide and Skin

Group VIII Timber, Bamboo, Grassbroom, Resinwood (Dhuplakri)

Group IX All types of Fishes(Excluding canned fish)