INDIA – How a farmers’ organization turned Kosterwell Lyngdoh Nonglait’s challenges into confidence

Meghalaya, India – For 45 years, Kosterwell Lyngdoh Nonglait of Maweitkhlieh village in Mairang Block, Eastern West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya, India, has lived the life of a dedicated farmer. On his land, he cultivates paddy, fruits such as guava and pineapple, and a variety of vegetables, including squash, pumpkins, and French beans. Alongside crop cultivation, he also raises a small number of chickens and pigs to support his household.

But despite his long experience, farming has never been easy. One of the biggest challenges he faced over the years was limited knowledge of proper pest management. “We often lost our crops,” he shared, recalling how insects destroyed large portions of their harvest season after season. Without access to timely information or technical guidance, many farmers like him struggled to improve productivity and income.

Everything changed when he became a member of the Iaipyrshang Farmer Producer Organisation (FO). For Kosterwell, joining the FO marked a turning point, one that he describes as “a blessing.” Through the organization, farmers now have easier access to support, resources, and government programs that were previously out of reach. “The FO has narrowed the gap between farmers and the government,” he said.

The Iaipyrshang Farmer Producer Organisation has received assistance from various institutions, including government agencies that provided essential inputs such as seeds. Members also underwent multiple trainings, including organic composting, pickle-making, and basic food processing.

To strengthen its operations and scale up its services, the organization also received financial support from the APFP-FO4A program. This funding was instrumental in constructing a Common Resource Center (CRC) and in purchasing produce directly from farmers. Completed in 2023 on land leased from the village council for 20 years, the CRC now serves as an important hub for coordination, collection, and community activities. Additional government assistance also enabled the construction of a packhouse and a water harvesting structure, further improving the FO’s ability to support its members.

The Asia-Pacific Farmers’ Program (APFP) – Farmers’ Organizations for Asia (FO4A) is implemented by the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and La Via Campesina (LVC), with funding from the European Union (EU) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The program aims to strengthen the capacities of farmers’ organizations to provide economic services, advocate for enabling policies, and promote sustainable livelihoods for small-scale family farmers across Asia.

APFP-FO4A is implemented in India by the Institute for Motivating Self Employment (IMSE), the North East India Committee on Relief and Development (NEICORD), and the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).