Shillong, November 4: Meghalaya Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Timothy D. Shira on Wednesday inaugurated the first Meghalaya Collectives Store in the state, located below Dylan’s Cafe in Shillong, as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen market access and create better economic opportunities for farmers, artisans and rural entrepreneurs. The store, established under the Meghalaya State Agricultural Marketing Board (MSAMB), brings together a wide range of products from farmers, cooperatives, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), artisans and rural entrepreneurs across Meghalaya.
The Shillong outlet is the first physical Meghalaya Collectives Store in the state, building on the initiative’s existing retail presence in Delhi, online platforms including Amazon, and business partnerships. The store aims to provide consumers with access to locally produced goods while creating opportunities for retailers and institutional buyers to establish sourcing relationships with producers from Meghalaya.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Timothy D. Shira described the inauguration as an important step towards connecting rural producers with larger markets and strengthening their economic prospects. “This occasion marks an important step in our government’s efforts to connect the work of our farmers, artisans and rural entrepreneurs with stronger markets and better economic opportunities,” Shira said.
The Minister highlighted the State Government’s efforts under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to strengthen agricultural production, processing facilities and market access. He informed that the government had facilitated market linkages for more than 2,100 metric tonnes of agricultural produce, generating trade worth approximately Rs 22 crore. “Farmers need support to grow suitable crops, facilities to process their produce and dependable avenues through which to sell. Meghalaya Collectives strengthens the market-facing part of this journey,” he said.
Shira also acknowledged the contribution of PRIME Rural’s doorstep incubation programme, which supports rural entrepreneurs through assistance in registration, bookkeeping, product development, packaging, training and marketing. He highlighted that the programme also provides support through partner-led interventions involving workspaces, machinery and sustainable energy solutions.
The Minister said the collaboration between MSAMB and PRIME Rural would help connect rural enterprise development with organised market opportunities. “The collaboration between MSAMB and PRIME Rural connects this enterprise development journey with organised market access. Support at the producer’s doorstep is linked with opportunities to secure orders, understand customer expectations and build repeat sales,” he added.
Welcoming the gathering, MSAMB Managing Director Sachin Gavade, IFS, said the opening of the store marked a significant step towards connecting Meghalaya’s rural producers with wider markets. He highlighted the store’s potential to provide residents and visitors with an opportunity to experience Meghalaya through its agricultural produce, traditional craftsmanship and locally developed enterprises.
During the programme, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Meghalaya Collectives under MSAMB and Mandya Organic Foods Private Limited, which operates under the brand Organic Mandya. The agreement records the intention to provide dedicated shelf space for a selected range of Meghalaya products at Organic Mandya retail outlets, currently operating in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, as well as new outlets established during the agreement period.
The proposed retail shelves will feature Meghalaya Collectives branding alongside information about the producers and their places of origin, helping customers learn more about the products and the communities behind them. The programme also witnessed the release of the Meghalaya Collectives Product Handbook – Store Edition 2026–2027.
Representatives of Integrated Village Cooperative Societies (IVCS) and a PRIME Rural entrepreneur shared their experiences relating to market access and the challenges faced by rural producers. A business-to-business networking workshop was also organised, bringing together producers and prospective buyers to explore sourcing opportunities and strengthen commercial partnerships. The event was followed by a cultural programme showcasing Meghalaya’s cultural identity.
Among those who addressed the gathering were MSAMB Chairman Dr. Vijay Kumar D., IAS; Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) Executive Director Saloni Verma, IAS; and Director of Horticulture, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Bansara Mylliemgap. MSAMB Joint Managing Director Pranjal J. Dutta delivered the vote of thanks.
According to MSAMB, Meghalaya Collectives supports products marketed under its own label, co-branded products and independent brands that receive marketing and distribution assistance while retaining their individual identities. The initiative seeks to connect village-level enterprise development with retail opportunities, institutional sales and wider distribution networks.
Calling for greater cooperation among stakeholders, Minister Timothy D. Shira urged producers, entrepreneurs and partner organisations to work collectively towards strengthening Meghalaya Collectives as a trusted platform for local products. “Let us work together to build Meghalaya Collectives into a trusted platform that reflects the quality and diversity of our State and creates lasting economic opportunities for our people,” he said. The newly inaugurated Meghalaya Collectives Store, located below Dylan’s Café in Shillong, will remain open daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
