A programme to celebrate and spotlight the communities of Meghalaya for their good work across various sectors of rural development and livelihood enhancement was held at the State Convention Centre, Shillong on 19 December 2022.

In his address, Chief Guest Dr. Vijay Kumar D., Commissioner & Secretary of the Government of Meghalaya, stated his delight at being able to participate in the mutual lesson-learning experience. He informed that when the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi visited Shillong the previous day, the State Government had shared a compilation of success stories of Meghalaya. The Prime Minister was observed to be very appreciative of these practices implemented in collaboration with the communities across various sectors.

On 16 January 2023, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma inaugurated the PRIME (Promotion and Incubation of Market-Driven Enterprises) Hub at Diengkynthong village in Khatarshnong Laitkroh, East Khasi Hills District.  The hub is one of 18 across the State being established by the IFAD-supported Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (Megha-LAMP) of the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA).

Also present at the occasion were the Commissioner and Secretary, GoM and Project Director of Megha-LAMP, Dr. Vijay Kumar D (IAS), officials and representatives of various line departments including the Block Development Officer, Khatarshnong Laitkroh Block, MBMA officials, and community members and farmer groups from the region. PRIME Hubs under Megha-LAMP are a collaboration of the project and the State Council of Science Technology & Environment (SCSTE) and the North Eastern Council (NEC).

21st-century India is witnessing the position of  women in matters of rural development and sustainable livelihoods gradually changing for the better. Various initiatives now center on empowering women socially and economically including in Meghalaya where community-tailored projects such as the Community-Led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP) and the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (Megha-LAMP) have given weight to establishing enabling environments for transforming long-standing gender inequalities.

In agriculture, women’s increased participation and contributions are closing the gender gap. NGO Oxfam India reports that as of 2018, 33% of the agriculture labour force comprises women while 48% are self-employed farmers. This figure will only trend upwards given that significant numbers of men in agriculture are migrating to cities in search of job security.

According to Iashah, Leisure Time Earning, by definition, is an activity that enables women to earn additional income through weaving and spinning yarn in their free time. The school teacher stated that she spends her after-work hours engaged in the activity, a personal hobby that started at a young age when she learned from her mother. Through the years, her reputation as a gifted weaver grew across the region.

Kdoh Hati, a village located in the Umsning C&RD Block of the Ri-Bhoi District, was established in 1968 and has been in existence for nearly 51 years. It is situated at a distance of 107 km from Shillong, which serves as the capital of Meghalaya. The village encompasses a total geographical area of 254.30 hectares and is home to a population of 643 individuals. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Raid Nongtham Khyriem Syiemship.

Despite having four springs, the water problem in the village persisted until The Community Led Landscape Management Project, a World Bank funded project, intervened. The project not only addressed the villagers’ basic needs but also tackled the root cause of the problem with sustainable solutions while preserving the environment.

Every household in Kdohhati is engaged with the CLLMP as it has provided them with a platform to understand the underlying causes of their issues and has offered a comprehensive, long-term solution. Additionally, CLLMP has provided job opportunities for the community to supplement their income, and Village Community Facilitators (VCFs) have been able to travel to other locations for learning exchanges and apply their newfound knowledge.

Traditional Knowledge (TK) is synonymous with the identity, value, and culture of indigenous communities across the world. Its preservation is of supreme importance given how TK has proven to be essential in harmonizing various developmental processes for the communities. The recognition for its preservation is well-established and universal.

MBMA supported with market and credit linkages after recognizing that these products had every potential to score big in niche international markets. The State’s Planning Department also facilitated the construction of a working shed that has three storage rooms, a workshop, a room for storing the molds, one for the firing process and glazing of the clay pots, and a big-sized oven.