Meghalaya hosted the “Summit for Rural Empowerment” under PMJVM, aiming to strengthen tribal entrepreneurship through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs). With 169 VDVKs already active and MoUs signed with 12 premier institutions, the state is advancing rural enterprise, market access, and self-reliance. The summit emphasized capacity-building, local resource utilization, and cross-state collaboration for inclusive rural development.
In a significant milestone for rural transformation and tribal entrepreneurship, the Government of Meghalaya hosted the “Summit for Rural Empowerment: Leveraging Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM)” at the State Convention Centre in Shillong. Organized through the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) under the Department of Planning, Investment Promotion & Sustainable Development, the summit highlighted the power of grassroots-led enterprise to reshape the state’s rural economy.
The event was inaugurated by Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, who served as the Chief Guest. Joining him were Smt. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, alongside senior government officials, development partners, and participants from 130 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) across the state and nine other Indian states.
A Vision for Inclusive Rural Enterprise
The summit underscored Meghalaya’s ongoing efforts to empower forest-based communities through the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission (PMJVM), a national initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs that promotes sustainable, community-driven entrepreneurship based on indigenous knowledge, traditional practices, and locally available resources.
Highlighting the vision behind PMJVM, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma stated, “This is more than a government scheme. It is a movement for empowering our communities, building resilience, and translating traditional skills into sustainable livelihoods.”
VDVKs serve as rural value-addition hubs where self-help group (SHG) members collaborate to process, package, and market forest and agricultural products such as wild honey, bamboo, broom grass, turmeric, jackfruit, millets, and more. Each VDVK typically involves around 300 SHG members and receives ₹15 lakh in funding to set up equipment, procure raw material, and build enterprise capabilities.
169 VDVKs Active in Meghalaya; More Planned
As of July 2025, 169 VDVKs have been established across Meghalaya, benefiting thousands of families and encouraging the emergence of rural entrepreneurs. These centers act as engines of local development, providing forest and farm communities with income-generation opportunities that go beyond seasonal harvests.
The Government of Meghalaya announced plans to expand this network to over 250 VDVKs, with the potential to directly support more than 75,000 beneficiaries and mobilize investments of nearly ₹37.5 crore. This expansion is expected to strengthen Meghalaya’s position as a model state for tribal enterprise development.
MoUs Signed with 12 Premier Institutions
One of the summit’s defining moments was the signing of 12 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading national institutions to support technical training, research, product development, and capacity building for the VDVKs. These partnerships will bridge the gap between grassroots producers and cutting-edge technologies, helping communities adopt best practices and adhere to national quality standards.
An additional seven MoUs are slated for signing in the coming weeks, ensuring a steady pipeline of expertise and innovation into Meghalaya’s rural enterprise ecosystem.
Nationwide Participation and Product Showcase
The summit welcomed VDVKs from nine other states, creating a space for exchange and collaboration. Two new community enterprises focused on handicrafts and handlooms were inducted into the PMJVM ecosystem, expanding its reach into artisan communities and adding new dimensions to rural livelihoods.
Another highlight was the launch of the promotional teaser for “Tribes India”, TRIFED’s national retail platform that connects tribal producers to high-value markets across the country. Through this platform, VDVKs will gain visibility and access to urban consumers, boosting income and brand recognition.
Strengthening Local Economies and Year-Round Livelihoods
In her address, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh emphasized the transformative potential of PMJVM. “This mission empowers our farmers, forest gatherers, and artisans to become producers and entrepreneurs. It lays the foundation for value addition, year-round income, and sustainable communities,” she said.
At the national level, TRIFED has mobilized 3,958 Van Dhan Groups, incorporating over 55,000 Self-Help Groups and reaching nearly 11.83 lakh beneficiaries. The initiative aligns with flagship national programs like One District One Product (ODOP), GI-tag promotion, and integrated efforts with MSME, AYUSH, ICAR, and MoFPI to build robust rural economies.
Recognition and Certification
As part of the event, Certificates of Participation were presented to 11 VDVKs from various states including North East, West Bengal, Odisha, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand. These tokens of recognition celebrate cross-regional learning and reinforce the growing influence of PMJVM beyond Meghalaya.
Workshops and Knowledge Sharing
The summit concluded with hands-on workshops on branding, packaging, sustainable sourcing, and market access. These interactive sessions provided valuable learning opportunities for VDVKs and encouraged peer-to-peer exchange of ideas and success stories.
With a focus on sustainability and innovation, the workshops laid the groundwork for enhancing product value, improving packaging aesthetics, and tapping into premium market segments for Meghalaya’s rural products.