Meghalaya signs MoUs with 12 institutions to boost rural entrepreneurship under PMJVM

Guwahati: Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) in Meghalaya have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with 12 institutions across India to provide technical training, R&D support, and capacity-building initiatives.

These agreements were formalized during the “Summit for Rural Empowerment: Leveraging Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM),” held on Friday, July 25, 2025, at the State Convention Centre, Shillong. The summit was hosted by the Government of Meghalaya through the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) under the Planning, Investment Promotion & Sustainable Development Department.

The event was attended by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, among others.


The summit highlighted Meghalaya’s growing commitment to inclusive rural development and community-led entrepreneurship. PMJVM, spearheaded nationally by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, promotes value addition, innovation, and modern market linkages rooted in traditional knowledge and local resources.

Chief Minister Conrad Sangma described the mission as transformative:

“PMJVM is more than a scheme. It is a movement that promotes community-led innovation and long-term resilience for our forest and rural communities.”

At the heart of PMJVM are the Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, rural centres run by Self-Help Groups (SHGs). These Kendras support value addition, processing, packaging, and marketing of forest, agricultural, horticultural, handloom, and handicraft products. Each VDVK typically involves around 300 SHG members and receives ₹15 lakh in funding for procurement, equipment, training, and working capital.

As of July 2025, 169 VDVKs have been sanctioned across Meghalaya, directly benefiting thousands of rural families. These Kendras are already processing products like broom grass, bamboo, wild honey, turmeric, jackfruit, pineapple, millets, and more—turning traditional skills into thriving local enterprises.

Strengthening Capacity Through MoUs
A key highlight of the summit was the signing of 12 MoUs with national institutions, aimed at strengthening VDVKs through technical training, research and development, and capacity building. An additional 7 MoUs are expected to be signed in the coming weeks.

These partnerships will help bridge the gap between grassroots production and national-level expertise—bringing in improved technologies, enhanced processing techniques, and better product standards.

The summit also saw the launch of a promotional teaser for “Tribes India”, the national retail platform operated by TRIFED under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. This platform will offer VDVKs a direct channel to showcase and sell their products in key markets across India.

Agriculture Minister Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh emphasized the transformative impact of the mission:

“This mission empowers our farmers, forest gatherers, and artisans to become producers and entrepreneurs. It lays the foundation for year-round income, value addition, and self-reliant communities.”

Nationally, TRIFED has mobilized 3,958 Van Dhan Groups, covering over 55,000 SHGs and reaching 11.83 lakh rural beneficiaries. The PMJVM is also aligned with flagship initiatives like One District One Product (ODOP), GI tag promotion, and cross-ministerial collaborations with MSME, AYUSH, ICAR, and MoFPI.

Looking ahead, the Government of Meghalaya plans to establish over 250 new VDVKs, potentially benefiting around 75,000 individuals and mobilizing ₹37.5 crore to boost community-driven value addition and enterprise development.