Mr. Midros Rngkhlem is a hardworking man from Wapung Shnong village in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. His story is one of struggle, hope, and success. Today, he is a well-known Service Provider (SP) and a piggery farmer. Before becoming a Service Provider, Mr. Rngkhlem worked as a daily wage labourer. From 2013 to 2021, he worked as a head mystri, constructing quite a number of houses. But over time, he felt that this job would not help him grow personally or financially.

Deep within, he carried a memory that would change the course of his life. He remembered what his parents always said that he had a special gift when it comes to raising pigs. They used to say, “even weak pigs grow big and strong under his care.”

Encouraged by this memory and after watching success stories of pig farmers on YouTube, he decided to give pig farming a try. On 21st May 2021, with just Rs. 50,000, he bought 15 pigs, built small sheds, and started his farm on a rented land. His wife was worried about the cost and whether they could afford to feed the pigs, but he promised to make it work.

His journey, however, was far from smooth. At first, things went well, he even took pigs from friends who couldn’t fatten them and raised them successfully. However, as his farm began to show steady profits, the landowner started to find faults and eventually forced him to leave the farm. With a heavy heart, he moved out with his pigs the next morning. It was a hard time, but a close friend, Mr. Khanalang Sumer, offered him land, and he restarted his farm.

Sadly, his pigs started dying one after another due to a disease. Mr. Rngkhlem faced setbacks that could have ended his dream. But his determination never wavered. He realized the core issue wasn’t just bad luck, it was lack of proper knowledge and training.

A Turning Point: Megha-LAMP and the Path to Empowerment

Everything changed when he met the village headman of Wapung Shnong, who introduced him to the Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (Megha-LAMP). The headman encouraged him to join a Producer Group (PG), where he would gain access to formal training, support services, and a strong community network. With additional guidance from the Group Facilitator, Mr. Rngkhlem joined the Tia Chaphrang Producer Group and enrolled in a 45 days pig farming training organized by the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA) in collaboration with the Veterinary Department, GoM.

Despite having no money at the time, not even enough for a taxi fare he didn’t tell anyone, not even his wife. With quiet determination and a deep faith in God, he relied on his friend for a taxi fare to attend the training that began on 4th April, 2023.

While at the training centre, his thoughts constantly returned to his wife and three children. Back home, his wife kept the household afloat by selling the few remaining pigs. By the time the training ended, the farm was empty, and they were left with no pigs and no capital to restart. But knowledge, they say, is power and he now has that power.

Rebuilding with Resilience and Support

Mr. Rngkhlem didn't let this stop him. With unwavering resolve and   help from supportive friends and family, he opened a small meat   shop selling pork and chicken. After saving for a few months, he   was able to purchase two pigs at low cost from his two friends.   These two pigs marked the beginning of a new chapter.

Megha-LAMP has provided him a financial assistance of Rs.   1,25,000 as a Support Fund. It has also offered other services   through the Wapung Shnong IVCS Ltd., such as loans. So far, all   his support has come through Megha-LAMP and no other   departments, and he is very thankful to the project. With growing knowledge and renewed confidence, Mr. Rngkhlem   revived his piggery farm. Today, Mr. Rngkhlem has 80 pigs including piglets and mature pigs. He raises Yorkshire, Hampshire, Landrace,   Duroc and local breeds. He feeds them twice a day and spends   about Rs. 1 lakh per month only on feeds.

  His Impact as a Certified Service Provider

 Becoming a Service Provider (SP) transformed Mr. Rngkhlem’s   role  from a farmer to a community leader and knowledge resource.

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