On 16 January 2023, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma inaugurated the PRIME (Promotion and Incubation of Market-Driven Enterprises) Hub at Diengkynthong village in Khatarshnong Laitkroh, East Khasi Hills District. The hub is one of 18 across the State being established by the IFAD-supported Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project (Megha-LAMP) of the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA).
PRIME Hubs are state-wide incubation hubs set up primarily to help and handhold small and marginal farmers, producer groups, and agri-entrepreneurs realize improved incomes through high-leverage market access and credit linkages, technical know-how, better quality seeds, value-addition activities such as processing and packaging, and support funding.
In his address, Sangma stated that these Hubs are avenues to help these farmers explore opportunities for their growth and development and bridge the many gaps in rural development. Through these hubs, people are getting access to different business opportunities for upscaling production and taking up higher-order activities besides employment opportunities. He added that the hub at Diengkynthong IVCS will become an economic zone for farmers and producers. A farmers’ market, a processing unit, and a Collective Marketing Centre are also being constructed in its vicinity.
Also present at the occasion were the Commissioner and Secretary, GoM and Project Director of Megha-LAMP, Dr. Vijay Kumar D (IAS), officials and representatives of various line departments including the Block Development Officer, Khatarshnong Laitkroh Block, MBMA officials, and community members and farmer groups from the region. PRIME Hubs under Megha-LAMP are a collaboration of the project and the State Council of Science Technology & Environment (SCSTE) and the North Eastern Council (NEC).
