Shillong, 25 August 2026: Meghalaya has received national recognition for its efforts to strengthen micro food processing and non-farm livelihoods, with the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS) conferred the Runner-Up Award in the Small State Category for the State’s overall implementation of the Prime Minister’s Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme).
The award was presented during the PMFME Conclave 2026, held in New Delhi on 24–25 August 2026. Shri Ronald Kynta, Chief Operating Officer, MSRLS, and Ms Rinky Kyndait, State Mission Manager – Non-Farm Livelihoods, received the award on behalf of Meghalaya from Shri Chirag Paswan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Food Processing Industries, along with other dignitaries.
Meghalaya’s Efforts: Turning Livelihoods into Enterprise
The recognition reflects Meghalaya’s sustained efforts to create stronger livelihood opportunities by supporting Self-Help Groups (SHGs), micro food processing enterprises and local entrepreneurship across the State.
Through the PMFME Scheme, MSRLS has worked to strengthen the non-farm livelihoods ecosystem by helping communities move beyond traditional livelihood activities towards value addition, enterprise development and market-oriented food processing.
The State’s approach has focused on bringing opportunities closer to rural communities and enabling SHGs and emerging entrepreneurs to participate in the food processing value chain. These efforts contribute not only to enterprise development but also to income generation, local economic activity and greater opportunities for rural households.
From Local Resources to Local Enterprises
Meghalaya’s diverse agricultural and food products offer significant potential for value addition. By supporting micro food processing, the State is creating opportunities to transform locally available resources into marketable products, stronger enterprises and sustainable livelihoods.
The PMFME platform also provides an avenue to strengthen One District One Product (ODOP)-led development, improve market linkages and connect grassroots enterprises with financial and technical support.
A National Platform for Learning and Collaboration
The two-day PMFME Conclave brought together stakeholders from across the country, including financial institutions, incubation centres, market-access experts and SHG networks.
Discussions focused on strengthening credit and subsidy mechanisms, entrepreneurship incubation, market access and ODOP-led cluster development, while experience-sharing sessions highlighted emerging practices and lessons from implementation across States.
For Meghalaya, the national recognition provides an opportunity to showcase its experience and learn from other States working to build stronger micro-enterprise ecosystems.
Recognition for Meghalaya’s Rural Enterprise Journey
The Runner-Up Award is a recognition of the collective efforts of MSRLS, SHGs, entrepreneurs, field teams and partners working to expand livelihood opportunities across Meghalaya.
It also reinforces the importance of continued investment in rural entrepreneurship, women’s economic participation, local value chains and market access.
As Meghalaya moves forward, the recognition serves as an encouragement to build on this momentum, strengthen implementation, support more enterprises and ensure that rural entrepreneurs are able to translate local potential into sustainable economic opportunities.