Shillong, May 15: A delegation from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) was on a two-day visit to the project locations associated with the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (MEGHA-LAMP).
Organised by the MEGHA-LAMP recently, the visit aimed to showcase community-led institutions, farmer collectives, processing units and livelihood initiatives supported under the project.
The delegation, led by Dr. Donal Brown, Associate Vice-President of IFAD, explored various community-led institutions and farmer collectives engaged in innovative processing units.
Dr. Brown noted Meghalaya’s significant potential for high-value agricultural products, emphasising that while the region may be geographically isolated, it is an important focus area for supporting smallholder farmers. He praised the quality of Meghalaya’s native products, such as turmeric, black pepper, and cashews and stressed that beyond quality, effective branding and attractive packaging are essential to penetrate both domestic and international markets.
The importance of building a strong market presence was highlighted, particularly for exporting to urban centers and global markets.
On the first day of their visit, IFAD representatives engaged directly with local farmers at the Integrated Village Cooperative Society in Umwang.
Reehana Raza, the Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, noted the significance of long-term partnerships with the state to foster sustainable investments that support local agriculture.
