Meghalaya: Entrepreneurship workshop launched for indigenous women in Northeast

NCW and Meghalaya Biodiversity Board Launch Initiative to Empower Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs

By MyNewsNE Desk On Jul 9, 2024 Last updated Jul 9, 2024

Northeast Desk, 9th July: The National Commission for Women (NCW) and Meghalaya Biodiversity Board have launched an ambitious entrepreneurship program to empower indigenous women in the Northeast. The initiative was inaugurated during a two-day Regional Capacity Building Workshop and Conference, held at the State Convention Centre in Shillong, focusing on promoting Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) based businesses.

NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma introduced the Commission’s new initiative, which aims to enable tribal women residing near forests to start and sustain NTFP-based enterprises. Sharma highlighted the significant potential of this program to enhance the income of women in the Northeast by utilizing the region’s rich forest resources.

The primary goals of the initiative are:

Market Integration and Technology Adoption: Developing strategies to better integrate NTFP products into broader markets while adopting new technologies to improve production.
Value Chain Challenges: Identifying and addressing obstacles within the value chain to ensure smoother operations and increased efficiency.
Efficiency and Profitability: Enhancing the efficiency of NTFP-based businesses to boost their profitability.
Income Diversification: Encouraging innovative ideas to diversify income sources for women entrepreneurs.
Collaborative Environment: Fostering a collaborative atmosphere among participants to share knowledge and resources for sustainable business practices.

The workshop gathered a diverse group of participants, including cultivators, collectors, traditional healers, and members of Self-Help Groups. Representatives from State Women Commissions, forest departments, AYUSH, and subject matter experts were also present to devise actionable plans for sustainable economic development.

Prominent figures attending the event included R.S. Gill, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Head of Forest Force, Meenakshi Negi, Member Secretary of NCW, and various state government officials. The collaborative effort underscores the commitment to uplifting indigenous women and promoting sustainable economic growth through NTFP-based entrepreneurship.