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Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Global retail company Lulu Group explores strategic sourcing from Meghalaya
A high-level eight-member delegation from Lulu Group International , led by Salim M.A., Director, Global Operations, visited Meghalaya for a series of strategic engagements aimed at strengthening international market linkages for the state's agricultural products. The visit follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Lulu Group International and the Meghalaya State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) in November 2023 at World Food India, New Delhi, facilitated by APEDA. Over the past two years, MSAMB has proactively facilitated the export of GI-tagged Khasi Mandarin, Pineapple, and Ginger through both air and sea routes. The delegation held an official meeting with the Conrad K. Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, and senior secretaries from the Department. The Chief Minister assured the delegation of full government support in maximizing this partnership. He emphasized the importance of leveraging Meghalaya's unique agro-climatic conditions and traditional practices to create a strong brand identity in global markets. 'Our focus is on ensuring maximum efficiency with the investments we make, so that the volume of products reaching international markets continues to grow,' said Conrad. 'As a government, we are fully committed to this partnership. Meghalaya is an agro-based society, and our produce, especially the GI-tagged and organic varieties, are unique to this region. These products have immense potential, and we are determined to take them to global platforms. Today, we are witnessing significant growth in production, organic certification, and farmer collectivization. A great deal of groundwork is already in motion, and we are building on that momentum to ensure long-term gains for our farmers,' he added. Live Events In recent years, the Government of Meghalaya has taken bold and innovative steps to establish direct export channels for the state's unique agricultural products, particularly those with Geographical Indication (GI) tags and certified organic status. In a pioneering move last year, the State Government facilitated the first-ever direct export of GI-tagged Khasi Mandarin to Dubai via air cargo from Guwahati Customs, effectively bypassing conventional routes like Mumbai's Sea ports and airports. This marked a breakthrough in agri-export logistics from the region, ensuring faster and more efficient transportation of perishable, high-value produce. Building on this success, direct exports of pineapple consignments were also initiated, with Air India Cargo managing the shipment directly from Guwahati. These interventions reflect the Government's strong commitment to streamlining export infrastructure and reducing turnaround times for both farmers and international buyers. To date, Meghalaya has successfully exported over 13 metric tons of GI-tagged Khasi Mandarin and 10 metric tons of Pineapple to markets in the Middle East, reinforcing the state's reputation for high-quality and fresh produce. Further elevating Meghalaya's presence in international markets, the first-ever sea shipment of 15 metric tons of organic ginger was successfully dispatched to Dubai in March 2025, facilitated by the Meghalaya State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB) in collaboration with the Eastern Ri-Bhoi Organic Farmer Producer Company. This shipment showcased the scalability, traceability, and global readiness of Meghalaya's organic value chains. This initiative was not only a testament to the Government of Meghalaya's vision of integrating its farmers into global value chains but also helped lay the foundation for lasting trade relationships with major retail groups such as Lulu. The experience enabled farmers to better understand global consumer preferences, branding standards, and packaging benchmarks- key areas that are now being addressed in collaboration with Lulu Group and other partners. These strategic efforts reflect the broader goal of the state to create sustainable, high-value market opportunities for Meghalaya's farmers while positioning the state as a competitive player in the international organic and GI-tagged product space.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nirmala Sitharaman in Sohra: Lauds Meghalaya's Self-Help Groups model, grassroots growth
On the Day-Three of her visit to Meghalaya, Nirmala Sitharaman Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, accompanied by Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, drove through the stunning landscapes of Sohra (Cherrapunji) and interacted with local communities, farmers and SHG Members from Laitkynsew, Seij and Sohbar. The visit highlighted the transformative impact of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Village Organizations (VOs) in fulfilment of Meghalaya's vision of becoming USD 30 Billion economy, by 2032. In the remote village of Laitkynsew, Sohra, while addressing the gathering, Sitharaman commended the efforts of the Government of Meghalaya, in effectively implementing schemes of both the state and central governments, reaching every resident. 'If we believe in Sabka Vikas, government programmes and schemes will have to benefit all men and women, city or village, elder or young, rich or poor- everyone has to get one or the other benefit,' she emphasized. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fäst detta på din trimmer och slipp byta trimmerlina för alltid UltraCut Ta reda på mer Undo Sitharaman also lauded the efforts of SHGs in reducing the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and empowering other women. She emphasized the goal of making SHG members earn ?1 lakh annually, thereby becoming 'Lakhpati Didis'. She said that the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has a goal of having at least 5 lakhpati didis from every village in India. 'We need every village to contribute to this ambition of the Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma,' she said, assuring continued cooperation between the central and state governments to achieve Meghalaya's vision. Live Events With significant support from the Government of India, Rs 500 crores have been made available to SHGs through the Community Investment Fund , while banks have added another Rs 400 crores through linkages. Combined with members' savings, Meghalaya's SHGs now boast a corpus of not less than Rs 1,000 crores. The SHG movement is also central to realizing the Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma's vision of building a $10 billion economy by 2028, with $1 billion expected to come from SHG-driven activities. Women SHGs are also leading efforts to promote natural farming across the state. With active involvement from women SHGs, many villages are now on their way to being declared 'bio-villages'. Ampareen stated that beyond livelihoods and market linkages, women SHGs are also leading a social reform movement in health. Prior to 2020, Meghalaya recorded an MMR of around 240. This has now declined to below 104, following interventions by the health department and cash support to women through SHGs, resulting in a 50% reduction. In Siej village, Laitkynsew, under Shella Bholaganj block in East Khasi Hills,Sitharaman trekked to the iconic Umkar living root bridge, a 300-year-old marvel of sustainable architecture woven from living tree roots. She met Hally War, the architect behind the bridge, and learned how his grandparents' stories inspired his childhood resolve to create a lasting solution for river crossings.
Hindustan Times
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Assam, Meghalaya begin installing boundary in Hahim to resolve border dispute
Shillong: Administrative officials from Assam and Meghalaya on Tuesday said that boundary pillars are being constructed in the Hahim area under Assam's Kamrup district, as part of efforts to resolve the border dispute that dates back to 1972, when Meghalaya was carved out of Assam as a separate state. After decades of deadlock, a breakthrough came in March 2022, when Assam and Meghalaya signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi. (HT Photo) The pillars are being constructed along the riverbanks of Gijang and Tirchang—passing through villages such as Umshek (Mathapota), Maspara, Malapara, Ranighar, Salpara, Thutia Bazaar near Hahim market, and finally to Rangsapara after Athiabari, which belongs to Meghalaya. This follows a dialogue under the joint leadership of Assam and Meghalaya chief ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma and Conrad K. Sangma, respectively, on June 2. Over the years, the two states have held 32 rounds of official meetings, attempting to resolve 12 areas of difference spanning over 2,700 sq km. After decades of deadlock, a breakthrough came in March 2022, when Assam and Meghalaya signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi in the presence of union home minister Amit Shah, resolving six of the 12 disputed sectors. During the second round of talks held this month, both CMs agreed to begin erecting border pillars in the six resolved sectors --- Tarabari, Gizang, Hahim, Boklapara, Khanapara-Pilangkata, and Ratacherra --- by August 15, 2025. 'This is not just a concrete pillar; it's a symbol of peace, clarity and a better future for border communities. We are committed to completing this phase well before Independence Day, as per the commitment of both chief ministers,' a senior official from the survey team said. Also Read: Assam-Meghalaya border tensions rise amid fresh land dispute An official, requesting anonymity, said that field units from both the states will soon commence parallel constructions in the Gijang-adjacent areas. 'For decades, we lived with confusion—of belonging to two states at once. Today, we witness history being written in stone,' an elderly resident from Rangthali village said. However, the six unresolved areas — Block I, Block II, Langpih, Deshdoomreah, Khanduli, and Nongwah-Mawtamur—remain flashpoints, particularly due to ethnic sensitivities, historical claims, and lack of ground-level enforcement after the border between the two states was demarcated under the Assam Reorganisation Act, 1971.
The Hindu
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Joint Assam-Meghalaya hydropower project opposed
Members of 19 organisations hit the streets in a southwestern Assam town on Wednesday (June 25, 2025) to oppose a 55-megawatt hydropower project planned jointly by the governments of Assam and Meghalaya on the Kulsi River, a natural habitat of the endangered Gangetic river dolphin. The protest rally culminated in these organisations submitting a memorandum each to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his Meghalaya counterpart Conrad K. Sangma via the Circle Officer of Kamrup district's Chhaygaon, about 40 km from Guwahati. The organisations include the local units of the All Rabha Students' Union, Assam-Meghalaya Joint Protection Committee, Garo National Council, Khasi Students' Union, All Assam Koch Rajbanshi Students' Union, All Assam Bengali Youth Students' Federation, All Assam Gorkha Students' Union, All Assam Tribal Sangha, and Christian Forum. The two Chief Ministers announced the plan for the 55-MW hydropower and irrigation project after a meeting on June 2 to resolve the remaining six of 12 disputed sectors along their 885-km interstate border. The other six areas of difference were resolved through an agreement in March 2022. The Kulsi River, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, flows down from the West Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. The organisations said in the memorandum that a protest meeting was convened at Ukiam, near the site of the proposed hydropower project, on June 9. They said that people in Assam and Meghalaya to be affected by the project, agreed that the dam plan was 'unreasonable' and would kill the lifeline of the cultivators and fishermen in the area, apart from harming the environment irreparably. The organisations said the natural vegetation and crops are dependent on the Kulsi River, whose water level falls significantly during the dry season. 'If the proposed 55 MW Kulsi Hydropower Project is installed at Ukiam, it will affect the southern Kamrup district areas from Ukiam to Nagarbera,' they said, adding that release of excess water from the dam during the monsoon would also create havoc in these areas. The organisations stated that the dam-controlled ebb and flow of the river would impact at least 12 wetlands in the area, including Chandubi, which is known as the fifth-largest tectonic lake in the world. Chandubi, they pointed out, would be 3 km from the site of the proposed 62-metre-high dam. The organisations listed 16 villages in Assam's Kamrup district and three in Meghalaya's West Khasi Hills district, which would be affected by the proposed dam. Apart from Ukiam, a revenue village, all the others are forest villages inhabited by generations of Garo, Khasi, and Rabha tribal people. 'Although they have applied for title certificates under the Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act of 2006, they will not be eligible for compensation if shifted by the authorities to facilitate the project for the lack of land documents,' the organisations said. 'The Kulsi river is the natural habitat of the Gangetic river dolphin (Platanista gangetica), locally known as sihu. Featuring in the IUCN's Red List, it is was declared the State Aquatic Animal in 2009 and the National Aquatic Animal in 2010. The proposed hydropower project will be destructive for the animal,' the organisations said. 'Therefore, we demand that the proposal for such a devastating project be reconsidered by the governments of Assam and Meghalaya and cancelled immediately,' the organisations said. Similar protests have led to the cancellation or relocation of other proposed power projects in Assam this year. While the Asian Development Bank cancelled a $435.25 million loan for a controversial solar power project in the Karbi Anglong district, the Assam government decided to relocate a thermal power project of the Adani Group from the Kokrajhar district.
New Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Meghalaya pays farmers for carbon removal; marks milestone in India's green economy
NEW DELHI: The Meghalaya government has made a groundbreaking move by disbursing payments to farmers for their contributions to carbon sequestration through the plantation of multi-species tree-based agroforestry in biodiversity hotspots. This first payment marks a significant step toward establishing India's emerging carbon market, supporting livelihoods driven by the community. Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma, presented cheques to farmers from the Garo Hills region. The MegCare program, officially known as the Meghalaya Carbon Agroforestry for Community Resilience and Ecosystems, was launched in collaboration with Iora Ecological Solutions (IORA) and Rabobank's Acorn platform. The program aims to promote carbon market initiatives with community involvement since 2024. The programme enabled tree-based farming practices among 10,400 farmers who planted diverse trees over 22,000 hectares. The efforts improved biodiversity, secured spring sheds, stored carbon in the soil, and expanded biomass. Farmers under MegCare receive carbon income based on the volume of carbon they remove through agroforestry. In this first round of payments, the sale price of each Carbon Removal Unit (CRU) reached EUR 40 – the highest per-tonne carbon payment ever made to farmers in India and nearly four to five times the global average.
