SVM’s Meghalaya pilot program saw three Farmer Development Centers launched in the state, Our 4th FDC, The Madankynsaw Farmer Development Centre at Mookyndeng-Madankynsaw, West Jaintia Hills was inaugurated on 7th December 2021 by Minister I/c Agriculture & Farmer Welfare Shri.Banteidor Lyngdoh. Smart Village Movement Team and Self Help Group members of the village organized a successful inauguration program. Mr.Banteidor Lyndoh remarked, “The Farmer Development Center is at the heart of the Lakadong Turmeric belt and adds a great value to the farmers in the region.”⠀
Meghalaya is an agrarian state that lacks a lot of resources to uplift the rural farmers and their livelihood. The agriculture sector in the state is largely unorganized and informal, which means farmers do not have any formal institution for support facilities, financial advice, market linkages, or other Agri services. They have mostly remained independent small-scale farmers with an average holding of less than 0.6 acres and selling of produce is through middle-men, leaving farmers with low income and benefit.
The Farmer Development Centers (FDC) under our Agriculture Vertical is a joint initiative by Smart Village Movement in alliance with Berkeley-Haas and e-Fresh Global, supported by the Government of Meghalaya. The Center is an initiative to introduce one One-Stop-Shop for all farmers’ needs that supports farmers with advisory services, scaling opportunities, finance, and market linkages. It is an entrepreneur-run establishment equipped with a tech-enabled ecosystem that will help connect farmers, businesses, and Agri input providers. As part of SVM’s operational plan in 2020-21, all of the FDCs were refurbished, launched, entrepreneurs trained, and continue to receive support. Regular mobilization events are organized to understand the ground needs from the village to design an operational plan accordingly.
Madankynsaw Farmer Development Centre at Mookyndeng, West Jaintia Hills will be a Model FDC and will act as an anchor to the other 3 FDCs. Get in touch with us to know more or participate: info@smartvillagemovement.org
