Meghalaya, India – In Nongdom Mawpliang village, Jirang Block of Ri-Bhoi District in Meghalaya, farmer Goodmorning Pator begins each day by tending to his land and livestock. On his 2.5 acres, he cultivates paddy, ginger, and chillies. Alongside farming, he raises pigs, hens, and a cow, reflecting the diverse and integrated farming systems practiced in the region.
Goodmorning is the President of the Western Ri-Bhoi Farmer Producer Cooperative Society (FO), formed in 2019. For him, joining the FO has been a meaningful step forward. “We want more farmers to join,” he shares. “Being part of the FO brings so many opportunities.”
Over the years, the members of the FO have undergone training in leadership, bookkeeping and accounting, food processing, and packaging. These learnings have strengthened the group’s collective capacity. Today, the FO packages its own black pepper, turmeric, and bay leaves. Members have also started producing organic pest control, an innovation learned through training that helps reduce costs and supports sustainable farming practices.
A key turning point for the FO came through the support of the APFP-FO4A program and NEICORD. With this funding, the FO was able to build a Common Resource Center in Mynnar Jirang, which now serves as a hub for training, meetings, community activities, product collection, and storage. The FO also acquired a solar dryer, enabling farmers to process their products more efficiently and increase their income through value addition.
With additional support from the APFP-FO4A program, the FO also established a capital fund to purchase produce directly from its members and sell collectively. This helps farmers save on transportation costs while ensuring that both the farmers and the FO benefit from improved market access.
Through strengthened marketing efforts, the FO now supplies produce to buyers in Assam, Hyderabad, and other regions.
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.
APFP-FO4A is implemented in India by the Institute for Motivating Self Employment (IMSE), the North East India Committee on Relief and Development (NEICORD), and the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).
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