Shillong, August 19 : The Government of Meghalaya today inaugurated RURALPRENEUR ’25, a two-day celebration of rural entrepreneurship, innovation, and collaboration, at the State Central Library, Shillong. The event, organised through PRIME Rural and the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), brings together entrepreneurs, government officials, partner institutions, and industry experts to strengthen the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
In his address, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma highlighted the state’s progress over the past seven years, recalling the launch of the Chief Minister’s Entrepreneurship Prize in 2018. He stressed the importance of creating a culture of entrepreneurship that embraces risk-taking, problem-solving, and self-reliance beyond government jobs.
Sharing his own struggles as a young entrepreneur in the 1990s, Sangma noted the lack of support systems at the time. “Even a word of encouragement would have meant so much – but it wasn’t there. These experiences shaped the policies I design today. I know the struggles entrepreneurs face, and I know how even small support can make a difference,” he said.
The Chief Minister revealed that over ₹1,700 crores have been invested in entrepreneurship through initiatives like PRIME Urban, PRIME Rural, PRIME Collectives, CM Elevate, and skilling programs. He emphasized that the government’s efforts extend beyond funding to include ecosystem-building, market access, and mentorship.
He pointed out that self-help groups (SHGs), once managing ₹30 crores in funds before 2018, have since received over ₹1,000 crores in support. Infrastructure such as food processing units and PRIME hubs are also being established across the state.
Sangma lauded partnerships like that with the SELCO Foundation, which has powered rural health centres with solar energy, saving lives and improving services. He detailed how an ₹18 crore scheme combined loans, subsidies, and grants to support entrepreneurs under this initiative.
He also urged schools, institutions, companies, and government departments to support local entrepreneurs by sourcing their products. “This year, even the Christmas hampers I send to the Prime Minister and other leaders will be made entirely from local entrepreneurs’ products, with their stories included,” he affirmed.
The opening day featured MoU signings with partner institutions, the release of the PRIME Rural B-B Catalogue, cheque distributions to MBMA–SELCO beneficiaries, certificate presentations for PRIME Fellows, and cultural performances.
Day Two will focus on networking workshops, UDYAM onboarding, business registration and packaging training, alongside cultural showcases and the closing ceremony.
The Chief Minister concluded by citing the resilience of a young soap-maker from West Jaintia Hills as an example of the entrepreneurial spirit Meghalaya aims to nurture.
The event marks a milestone in Meghalaya’s entrepreneurial journey, showcasing success stories while strengthening networks, infrastructure, and support systems to enable rural enterprises to thrive and scale sustainably.
