Shillong, August 19: The Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Spices Board, Government of India, to strengthen technical cooperation and promote sustainable spice cultivation in Meghalaya.
The agreement was signed under the Asian Development Bank-financed Integrated Eco-tourism and Sustainable Agri-based Livelihood Development Project.
The MoU was signed by MBMA Executive Director and Team Lead of the Agriculture Component of the project Gavede Sachin Shankar and Spices Board Secretary M. S. Manivannan in the presence of ADB IESALD Project Director D. Vijay Kumar.
The signing ceremony was also attended by Spices Board Director (Development) Dharmendra Das, Scientist John Jo Varghese and officials from the Spices Board and MBMA.
Under the collaboration, special focus will be placed on promoting black pepper, large cardamom and cinnamon in Meghalaya.
The Spices Board will provide technical expertise and guidance to farmers and other stakeholders on sustainable and scientific cultivation practices for these high-value spices.
The partnership is expected to strengthen institutional cooperation between MBMA and the Spices Board while supporting the development of sustainable spice-based livelihoods.
Officials said the initiative is also expected to create new agri-based economic opportunities for communities across Meghalaya by promoting high-value spice cultivation through improved scientific and sustainable practices.
