Shillong, May 14: A high-level delegation from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) began a two-day visit to Meghalaya’s project sites under the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (Megha-LAMP) in Ri Bhoi district, highlighting the State’s growing potential in high-value agriculture, agro-processing, and rural entrepreneurship.
The delegation included IFAD Associate Vice-President Dr. Donal Brown, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Ms. Reehana Raza, and IFAD India Country Director Mr. James Marc de Sousa Shields. The visit was organised by the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) to showcase community-led institutions, farmer collectives, processing units, and livelihood initiatives supported under the Megha-LAMP project.
During the visit, Dr. Brown said Meghalaya, despite its geographical remoteness, holds immense potential for high-value agricultural products and remains a key focus area for IFAD’s efforts to support smallholder farmers. He praised local village cooperative societies for their agro-processing initiatives and highlighted the quality of indigenous products such as turmeric, black pepper, cashews, and pineapples.
Emphasising the importance of branding and packaging in accessing wider markets, Dr. Brown noted that attractive presentation plays a crucial role in expanding exports to major Indian cities and international destinations such as the Middle East and Europe.
On the first day, the delegation visited the Integrated Village Cooperative Society (IVCS) and Collective Marketing Centre (CMC) at Umwang, where they interacted with local communities and reviewed PRIME Hub initiatives in the district.
The officials also inspected the upcoming Organic Spice Unit at Bhoirymbong, described as the largest organic spice industrial unit in the Northeast, to assess value-addition initiatives under the project.
Ms. Raza highlighted the success of IFAD’s two-decade-long partnership with Meghalaya and stressed the importance of sustained collaborations in strengthening rural investments and supporting small farmers. She lauded the progress achieved by local communities through successive phases of development projects and appreciated the hospitality extended by the people of the State.
On the second day, the delegation visited Jirang in Ri Bhoi district, including the Pineapple Processing Unit, Jirang PRIME Hub, model farm initiatives, and the Jirang Organic Agro Farmers Producer Company Limited, where further interactions with farmers, producer groups, and entrepreneurs were scheduled.
The externally aided Megha-LAMP project, implemented by MBMA with support from IFAD, aims to improve rural livelihoods, strengthen community institutions, promote value addition, and enhance market access for farmers and producer collectives across Meghalaya.
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 began a two-day visit to Meghalaya’s project sites under the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (Megha-LAMP) in Ri Bhoi district, highlighting the State’s growing potential in high-value agriculture, agro-processing, and rural entrepreneurship.){kind=link}