Shillong, Jan 22: The Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS), in collaboration with the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), organised a certificate distribution ceremony and inauguration of Dondima IVCS Ltd’s new warehouse at Dinapara, under the Purakhasia block in South West Garo Hills, on Tuesday.
The event recognised trainees who completed ‘agro-processing and loinloom and handloom’ training under the Skills Meghalaya project, a flagship initiative aimed at equipping the youth of Meghalaya with industry-relevant skills and enhancing employability.
Addressing the gathering, Salmanpara MLA Ian Botham K Sangma urged trainees to pursue self-reliance and entrepreneurship by leveraging locally available resources. He highlighted the limited scope of government employment and encouraged youth to tap into sectors such as agro-processing, which holds significant potential in the region.
Other dignitaries included Nogorpara MDC Linekar K Sangma, Additional Deputy Commissioner RZD Shira, and Purakhasia Block Development Officer AK Marak.
Dondima IVCS (Integrated Village Cooperative Society) was established on November 6, 2019. Since its inception, it has expanded from five to seven adjoining villages, significantly increasing its membership. Recognised as one of the leading IVCS in South West Garo Hills, the cooperative engages in diverse value chain activities including aggregation of seasonal cash crops and operation of processing units such as cashew, arecanut and aroma oil distillation, along with other value-added products.
In 2025, Dondima IVCS was awarded a 200 tonne warehouse under the CM ELEVATE Scheme, which was inaugurated today and is expected to generate additional employment and strengthen the local economy. Twenty-one out of 30 agro-processing trainees have already secured employment at the newly inaugurated warehouse.
