Megha-LAMP project to improve family incomes in Meghalaya

Megha-LAMP, a project to improve family incomes and quality of life in rural areas of the mountainous state of Meghalaya, was launched on Thursday by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.

Sangma promised that his government was trying to fulfil its constitutional obligations to empower people so that they can take care of their social needs and basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter.

Megha-LAMP -- Meghalaya Livelihoods and Access to Markets Project -- is a key statewide initiative, which focuses on developing markets and value chains for sustainable livelihoods, and ensures that those livelihoods are adapted to Meghalaya's geographical context and to the effects of climate change.

Three components of the project are natural resource management and food security, enterprise and livelihood development and knowledge management.

Sangma said Megha-LAMP would identify profitable opportunities, focus on cash crops, identify climate-viable enterprises and catalyse support from other government departments to improve livelihood activities.

The project is being implemented as a part of the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihoods Programme and assisted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Megha-LAMP has a budget of Rs.11.519 billion, out of which $50 million (Rs.3.31 billion) would be provided by IFAD as technical assistance and a like amount from the state government, and the remainder from bank loans, convergence funds and some contribution from participating households.

Sangma said Megha-LAMP will develop 47,000 enterprises set up by rural communities across all 39 blocks and set up 54 value chain and livelihood clusters across at least 18 blocks, touching a total of 140,000 households.

"It (Megha-Lamp) will create infrastructure for 55 primary markets across Meghalaya, will enhance rural connectivity for village clusters and producers by constructing 250 km of eco-friendly roads, 20 submersible bridges and 10 ropeways across the target areas," he added.

The chief minister said that the project would harness the potential of natural resources, and creating sustainable livelihoods would make a difference in the lives of the targeted one-third of the population and foster a sense of well-being.

Chief Secretary P.B.O. Warjri said this is the third project from IFAD to benefit Meghalaya.

IFAD mission leader Edward Mallorie said Megha-LAMP could be accepted as an international best practice as it is based on an institutional setup, and is demand- and community-driven.