A programme to celebrate and appreciate the communities of Meghalaya for their good work across various sectors of rural development and livelihood enhancement was held at the State Convention Centre here today.
The programme was aimed at enabling communities from all over the state to share their knowledge and transmit the lessons and information on a variety of subjects from traditional knowledge, natural resources management, and entrepreneurship to financial inclusion and community organization aiding in the transformation of individuals and communities.
A total of 12 communities and individuals were felicitated and provided with a platform to share their best practices and innovations.
The programme was organized under the IFAD support Megha-LAMP project, exclusively for the communities, by the communities with the support of the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency.
Commissioner and Secretary Vijay Kumar D who attended the programme as the chief guest spoke said Prime Minister Narendra Singh was appreciative of the practices implemented by the State in collaboration with the communities across various sectors and the work of the externally aided projects of the government of Meghalaya is being recognized at the highest levels.
He informed that the Megha-LAMP project, which was supposed to end in December 2022, has been extended by the government of India for another two years with additional financing of USD 20 million to expand on various best practices.
Kumar cited the example of the Khasi Mandarin exported to Dubai for the first time. He said the oranges now stand on special display at the LuLu Hypermarket chain of Malls. The initiative was entirely done by the Ganga Integrated Village Cooperative Society (IVCS) from South Garo hills with minimal facilitation by the government, which is testimony to their capabilities, he added.
Also present at the programme were Gunanka DB, Joint Secretary and Additional Project Director of the Community Led Landscape Management Project (CLLMP), officials and representatives of various line departments and agencies of the State government, and community members from a number of villages and groups.
