Rooted in Unity, Growing with Purpose: Upper Kharkutta Four Brothers IVCS, NGH

Rural communities, despite their rich agricultural potential, often face critical challenges such as fragmented value chains, limited access to platforms that connect them directly with buyers and a lack of collective mechanisms to process and market their produce, resulting in unfair pricing and reduced income opportunities.

That narrative began to change on December 17, 2019, under Kharkutta Block in North Garo Hills when four villages, Upper Kharkutta, Makbilkol, Chiwakki, and Warima, joined forces to establish the Upper Kharkutta Four Brothers Integrated Village Cooperative Society (IVCS). What started with just 16 representatives has since blossomed into a vibrant network of over 367 members, with 70% being women.

Upper Kharkutta Four Brothers IVCS under the support of the Meghalaya Livelihood Access to Market Project (MLAMP) engages in a range of business activities not only to support fellow farmers but also to ensure the sustainability of the IVCS itself. The primary focus is on integrating agricultural produce, particularly local ginger, black pepper, and turmeric, into value chain processing. In addition, the IVCS is involved in various non-farm business ventures.

Ginger Processing Summary (2025)

The IVCS received a ginger processing unit in 2024. Processing activities officially commenced on January 27, 2025.

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