Shillong, June 30: Nonglang Rural Haat in West Khasi Hills District was opened by JR Blah, General Manager-OIC, NABARD, Meghalaya Regional Office, on June 26.
The event was held in the presence of E. Lyngdoh, BDO, Ri Muliang C & RD Block, P.Nongkynrih, DDM, NABARD, Michael Thongni, CEO NEIPS, E. Lyngdoh, Regional Manager, MRB,K Waniang, BM, MCAB, W. Khongjoh, Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Society, officials from KVK and Agriculture, SHGs’ members and farmers.
The marketplace will showcase a diverse range of products, including fresh vegetables, fish, and meat; handicrafts and traditional bamboo items; grocery and daily essentials; and snacks, tea, and locally made food items.
The rural haat has been constructed with the support of the NABARD and implemented and contributed by the NorthEast Institute of Professional Studies (NeIPS). The project aims to empower local producers, especially women-led SHGs, by providing a structured platform to market their products.
Addressing the gathering, JR Blah, GM, NABARD highlighted the benefits of the rural haat and expressed appreciation for everyone involved in its successful completion. She highlighted the objective of NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) in supporting the construction of rural haats is to strengthen rural marketing infrastructure and empower local producers especially small and marginal farmers, women’s self-help groups (SHGs), and artisans. The rural haat initiative, supported by NABARD, is designed to provide a structured and dignified space for farmers, artisans, and self-help groups to showcase and sell their produce. She emphasized NABARD’s commitment to strengthening grassroots economic infrastructure through such initiatives.
E, Lyngdoh, BDO, Ri Muliang Block in his address shared several forward-looking suggestions to ensure the success and sustainability of the rural haat. He stressed that while the rural haat is a platform for economic uplift, it must also be aligned with sustainable and eco-friendly practices that protect the region’s natural heritage.
P Nongkynrih, DDM, NABARD informed that the establishment of a Rural Haat signified cooperation between the community. She thanked the village community, the people of Nonglang and NEIPS team for completing the Haat. She said that a rural haat is not just a marketplace; it is a symbol of opportunity, self-reliance, and community spirit.It is a place where tradition meets progress-where local produce, handlooms, and crafts find their rightful value. She conveyed her best wishes saying let this marketplace be a place where ideas are exchanged, where women entrepreneurs thrive, and where our youth find inspiration to stay and grow in their own land.
Michael Thongni, CEO, NEIPS, expressed gratitude to NABARD for their support towards the rural haat project and highlighted various activities undertaken by NeIPS in the district. He urged for continued support from NABARD to further uplift SHGs and enhance income generation activities.
E. Lyngdoh, Regional Manager of MRB, elaborated on various loan schemes available for rural development, with a special focus on KCC and associated interest rates.
The event concluded with expressions of appreciation from the president of market committee of Nonglang market.
