Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) organized a program on “Promoting Women Bio-entrepreneurship in Orchid Floriculture” in collaboration with Bio Resource Development Centre (BRDC) at Umsning Block of Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya on Tuesday.

During the program, Prof. Pulok Kumar Mukherjee, Director, IBSD addressed the gathering and highlighted on ‘bioeconomy from bioresources’ by synergizing several research to enable the usage of the natural resources with all its perspective of the attributes of NER for locating the region in the new and emerging bioeconomy.  He mentioned that BioNEST incubator has been established by IBSD & BRDC for promoting women bio-entrepreneurship through orchids floriculture in Meghalaya with support from Biotechnology Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), Dept of Biotechnology (DBT), GoI. 

Major thrust area of IBSD is development of bioeconomy from bioresources with special reference to North Eastern Region. In this context, IBSD is synergising all its research activities & outreach programmes for societal upliftment and livelihood generation of this region.  

Prof. Mukhrjee mentioned that major focus of this programme is capacity building and training of women bio-entrepreneurs and farmers from different parts of Ri-Bhoi, an ‘aspirational district’ of Meghalaya. Under this programme, more than 100 women entrepreneurs have been trained and encouraged for orchids cultivation and propagation.

This project is implemented through a Hub and Spokes model at Umsning Block of Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya. Around 11 villages including Nongdiengngan, Nongmahir, Umshorshor, Mawser, Wahlakha, Umdiker, Umsaw, Sohdade, Sohjarang, Nongkseh and Mawparhut are being covered and targeted with his project. At present the Hub (poly-house) of 1000 sqm and ten spokes (poly-houses) of 300 sqm each has been installed at the specified sites and provided with dendrobium orchids planting materials.

During the program, Chief Guest, Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Health & Family Welfare Department, Govt. of Meghalaya dedicated the facilities established under BioNEST incubator to the beneficiaries Umsning Block of Ri-Bhoi. Minister also appreciated the efforts of Sister Merly Tom Kizhakhayil for training students for orchid floriculture. Guest of Honour, Dr. Celestine Lyngdoh, MLA, Umsning appreciated the collaborative efforts of IBSD & BRDC for establishing facilities in Umsning and to encourage the women for orchid floriculture.  

Gunanka D. B., Joint Secretary, Planning Department, Govt. of Meghalaya & Member Secretary, BRDC congratulated all the beneficiaries and encouraged them to promote orchid floriculture in this region. Arpit Upadhyay, Deputy Commissioner, Ri-Bhoi appreciated the initiative of BRDC and IBSD for promoting floriculture in Ri-Bhoi District.

During the program, Dr. J.K. Shukla and Dr Pardeep K. Bhardwaj, Scientist, IBSD presented various achievements of the project and highlighted various outreach activities for the promotion of women entrepreneurs through orchid floriculture as successful models.  

One of the beneficiaries, Sister Merly Tom Kizhakhayil shared her experiences as successful entrepreneurs of this project. Dr. Junie P. Lyngdoh, Scientist, BRDC congratulated all the beneficiaries. The program was attended by more than 500 participants including beneficiaries, women entrepreneurs from Ri-Bhoi, students from Ferrando Centre, scientists, scholars, staff of BRDC and IBSD, Upper Shillong, Meghalaya.

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