Established in November 2017, Umdihar IVCS Ltd. caters to 136 Households with 471 active shareholders. As of January 2025, the IVCS has a share capital of INR 94,500 with 210 savers and deposits of INR 20,83,865.00. It has been active in micro lending and has granted loans of INR 9,51,000.00 to 106 members.

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES: PLANTING SEEDS OF CHANGE

The Government of Meghalaya, understanding the need for a paradigm shift, initiated efforts to boost productivity. Scientific cultivation of Mauritius and MD2 varieties of pineapples became a focal point, aiming to enhance both quality and quantity. Simultaneously, there was a push to establish multiple cooperative-owned processing units within the state, addressing issues of remoteness, low shelf life, and fostering increased trade and demand within Meghalaya.

MILESTONE ACHIEVED

Umdihar IVCS, in collaboration with IQF Pvt. Ltd., manufactured frozen pineapple slices at its PRIME Hub facility in Ri Bhoi. These Frozen slices are then further processed to become cubes and dices in baby foods that are exported to Europe. In this ongoing initiative, IVCS is the procurement and infrastructure partner, while IQF Pvt Ltd. is the technology partner.

OUTCOMES

• Strengthening of supply chain, where market moves closer to home.
• Permanence in procurement pattern thus incentivizes farmers to practice scientific agriculture.
• Opportunity for farmers to learn and market the produce themselves.
• Capacity building of the Co-ops to execute harvesting and procurement plans.
• Skilled manpower in processing.
• With successful technology transfer, opportunity to run the enterprise on a franchise model.

LOOKING AHEAD: A FUTURE ROOTED IN INNOVATION

The success story of Um

The Rongkhugre B Integrated Village Cooperative Society Ltd. (IVCS) in Rongkugre, West Khasi Hills district, is where women have assumed pivotal roles in decision-making to guide their community towards sustainable development with a visionary and proactive approach. Since its inception, this IVCS has flourished under their direction, showcasing the power of women empowerment in an enabling environment. Their commitment has led to key achievements, such as improved water supply, enhanced agricultural practices, and boosted economic activities. Among these remarkable women is Dorina N.

Under her leadership, the IVCS began to flourish. Her hands-on approach and ability to unite the community around common goals revitalized the cooperative society.

One of the most significant changes observed in the village is the aforementioned improvement in water supply, which has historically struggled with water security, especially during the dry seasons. Through Megha-LAMP’s interventions of community-led integrated NRM activities, the community constructed three check dams and ten ring wells to bring water to doorsteps.

Despite the lack of organized business activities in the village, Dorina recognized potential for growth. Many villagers ran individual shops and engaged in the areca nut trade, ginger farming, and broom grass businesses. As a Group Facilitator, she supported them by regularly monitoring their progress and linking them to sources of funding, market connections, and schemes.

The village community of Siju in South Garo Hills District faced numerous challenges in sustaining livelihoods. It primarily relied on fishing and agriculture but was struggling to cope with market developments and inflation due to poor price realization and marketing opportunities. Individual farmers would operate independently, which led to unequal sales distribution and substantial waste, and with the local village market serving as the only selling platform, profits were expectedly limited.

The establishment of the Gangga IVCS Ltd. has since gone a long way in alleviating these challenges. In December 2019, the IVCS was formed and registered with 15 member shareholders. In the years that followed, the members engaged in community mobilization for strengthening membership while the project provided continuous support in the form of training, capacity building, exposure, and knowledge services.

Key Highlights:

• Area Covered:6 villages, with all 295 households participating.
• Membership:600 shareholders.
• Managing Committee: 10 members, including 4 women.
• Financial Details:
  1. Share capital: Rs. 4.45 lakhs.
  2. Total savings: Rs. 74.32 lakhs.
  3. Total loan sanctioned: Rs.