In the village of Umkadhor, nestled in Jirang Block of Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi District, woman farmer City Sohkhwai tends to her one-acre farm with dedication. On this small plot of land, she grows ginger, pineapple, paddy, and arecanut, while also raising pigs and backyard chickens.
Support from NEICORD played an important role in her progress. City received practical tools essential for improving her farm’s productivity, including a pump for spraying pests, a dustbin for storing organic fertilizer, and a water tank or small dugout pond to help irrigate her fields. NEICORD also provided her with fruit saplings, including pineapple, Khasi mandarin, and Assam lemon.
City’s commitment and hard work eventually led her to the Western Ri-Bhoi Farmer Producer Cooperative Society (FO), where she is now a board member. The Western Ri-Bhoi Farmer Producer Cooperative Society was formed in 2019 with 213 members and was officially registered in October 2020.
Through funding support from the APFP-FO4A program, the Western Ri-Bhoi Farmer Producer Cooperative Society established a Common Resource Center in Mynnar Jirang. This has become an important space for collective learning, production, community activities, as well as a collection center and storage for the FO’s products. With the APFP-FO4A funding, the FO also acquired a solar dryer, enabling farmers to process food products more efficiently and improve their income through value addition.
For City, the FO has opened doors to continuous learning. She recalls the many trainings she and fellow members received: leadership development, food processing skills like making pickles and chips, proper packaging techniques, and even marketing their products.
The Asia-Pacific Farmers’ Program (APFP)–Farmers Organizations for Asia (FO4A) is implemented by the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and La Via Campesina (LVC), with funding from the European Union (EU) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The program aims to strengthen the capacities of farmers’ organizations to provide economic services, advocate for enabling policies, and promote sustainable livelihoods for small-scale family farmers across Asia.
Comments are closed