Initiatives

As part of improving access to markets for producers in the state, under the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (Megha-LAMP), a 1km road was constructed at Kyrphei village, under Mawsynram C&RD Block to link the farmlands to existing roads. This is expected to ease transportation of farm produce to nearby markets

A large number of farmers and entrepreneurs from all over Garo Hills gathered on the 21st of September, 2017 at the ‘Marketing Conclave’ held at Ampati Multi Facility Centre, South West Garo Hills. The Conclave, an initiative of the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) and organized by the Basin Development Unit (BDU)

As part of the effort to identify key issues and challenges faced by stakeholders Balat market, in South West Khasi Hills, a Community Dialogue was held at the Office of the Syiem of Hima Maharram, Balat, on the 6th of October, 2017, as part of the Meghalaya Livelihood

For effective lesson-learning from all the initiatives that are carried out under the IBDLP Programme and the statewide projects under it such as Megha-LAMP, it is essential to ensure knowledge transfer and communication between community partners on the one hand, and government representatives and IBDLP personnel on the other. “Lesson learning” - a key Knowledge Management activity

Pongamia is a Bio Fuel plant known for oil production. Additionally the husk of the seeds can also be used for domestic fuel and charcoal, and the oil cake can be used as fertilizer. Hulls produced from the seeds can also be used toward manufacturing briquettes. As part of the first phase of the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihood Society (MSRLS) funded Pongamia project implemented

Jalkunds are small water harvesting structures that act as a supplementary source of irrigation water during the dry seasons and on hill slopes where perennial water sources are not available. Communities engaging in Jhum cultivation areas are especially targeted with Jalkunds to facilitate their conversion to settled cultivation practices. Jalkund have been particularly helpful for very small

The seed bank under the Lamjingshai CLF in Khweng village in the Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya is one of the more successful examples of Seed Banks and is a model seed bank for Khasi and Jaintia Hills. This CLF was started under the erstwhile Meghalaya Rural Development Society (MRDS) and is one of the leading Cluster Level Federations in the state of Meghalaya.

Sahsniang CLF (West Jaintia Hills) The Sahsniang CLF was formed in July 2011 with the facilitation of Meghalaya Livelihoods Improvement Project for the Himalayas (MLIPH). It comprises 18 SHGs with 187 members covering 1 village. The major livelihood activities of village community members includes agriculture (paddy, vegetables) livestock, horticulture (banana, orange), and also wage-based employment.

The Umsalait CLF was started in 2011. A small-scale CLF, it consists of 4 SHGs with a total of 40 members. Most households in this area are producers of rice, ginger and turmeric. The CLF started its Community Nursery in May/ June 2015, investing Rs. 5,000 from its own CLF fund and receiving Rs. 50,000 from the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) under its IBDLP Community Nursery initiative.

Drip irrigation is a form of irrigation that saves water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of many different plants, either onto the soil surface or directly onto the root zone, through a network of valves, pipes, tubing, and emitters. The Divisional Soil and Water Conservation Department of South West Khsi Hills district in convergence with Umit¬ Umsohphlang Watershed, IWMP-3, with funding from the Meghalaya Basin development Authority

Taking a pro-active role in educating people on the need to protect springsheds and water bodies in the area, the Basin Development Unit of South Garo hills conducted a two days training programme on spring protection initiatives at Rongara C&RD Block on the 24th to 25th August, 2016.

The survey aims to assess the efficacy of EFC services, current constraints faced by entrepreneurs, and enterprise development by registered partners. The study reveals that 22% of the partners have started a new enterprise, 13% have expanded an enterprise, and 5% have diversified from an existing enterprise. The study covered a sample of 617 registered partners and 625 control group.