Meghalaya is blessed with naturally fertile soil that supports a variety of fruits. However, in rural areas, nearly half these fruits go to waste due to low prices and lack of market access, leaving farmers with minimal earnings. This challenge led to a transformational initiative in the South West Garo Hills region of Kerupara, spearheaded by Mr. Salbison, who sought to add value to local produce through processing.

Setting up a Processing Unit

Formation of Kerupara IVCS

Determined to improve market opportunities for farmers, MBMA’s MLAMP Project officially established Kerupara IVCS on September 24, 2019. The group started with 15 members, including 5 women, providing a platform for collective progress.

Impact on Local Villages

The IVCS covered four villages—Kerupara, Chopapara, Megapgre, and Santogre—benefiting 400 households with a population of around 700. As awareness grew, more farmers joined, eager to take advantage of better market opportunities and reduced fruit wastage.

In a small village of Meghalaya, where people have to walk long distances to reach markets or get basic items, a village decided to solve a problem in its own unique way. Aruakgre, a village in North Garo Hills, is about 13 km from the nearest weekly market and over 30 km from the nearest town. The villagers faced a challenge that many people often ignore finding affordable slipper for everyday use.

 To solve this problem, the Songchet Nangrime, Integrated Village Cooperative Society (IVCS) Ltd. came up with a great idea. In July 2024, they started their own slipper making unit in the village.

Most households in the area fall under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category. In many cases, residents would continue using damaged footwear by replacing broken straps, but even strap replacements are unavailable locally. They have to wait for the weekly market to access even such basic items.

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