SLRD Initiative

Agriculture and Horticulture

Climate ActionSustainable LivelihoodsCommunity LedTechnology Enabled

Farming systems cutting chemical dependency, rebuilding soil and holding up under a less predictable climate, together with the horticulture value chains the region already grows.

Delivered Completed work

1,200 farmers trained
  • 1,200 farmers trained under the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme in Ri Bhoi.
  • 62 dated training programmes since July 2024 on pineapple, millet, vermicompost, permaculture, crop diversification and produce aggregation, with ICAR-KVK Umiam, ICAR-ATARI Zone VII, ICAR-NEH, the ICAR Agribusiness Incubation Centre and ATMA.
  • A turmeric processing plant commissioned in Ri Bhoi, serving 1,800 farmers.
  • Farm Tiger, a range of biopesticides and biofertilisers developed for North East conditions with Assam Agricultural University Jorhat and ICAR-NEH, launched by the Union Minister of Agriculture.

Under way Work in progress

  • Organic cultivation of lemongrass and Java citronella across four North East clusters, with no chemical fertiliser, weedicide or synthetic input.
  • Variety and agronomy work with CSIR-CIMAP and CSIR-NEIST.
Technology: Digital farmer records, advisory systems, field monitoring, soil health tracking, climate linked planning and impact documentation.