Meghalaya’s Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, inaugurated the state’s first centrifuged latex manufacturing unit in East Garo Hills, aiming to process raw rubber and benefit over 3,000 farmers in the region. The 18.8-crore project, funded by the state government through the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency, is implemented by Sr Rose, founder of Mendipathar Multipurpose Cooperative Society. Sangma emphasized the importance of improving livelihood and income opportunities for farmers to achieve the state’s USD 10 billion economy target. He also highlighted the need to create an entrepreneurial ecosystem and encourage youth to take up entrepreneurship. The state is also laying the foundation for Meghalaya’s first fruit dehydration unit, which will have a processing capacity of 7,400 metric tonnes annually and benefit over 5,000 farmers.