Shillong, August 19: The Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), under the ADB-financed Integrated Eco-tourism and Sustainable Agri-based Livelihood Development Project, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with the Spices Board, Government of India, to strengthen technical cooperation for sustainable spice cultivation in Meghalaya.
The MoU was signed by Shri Gavede Sachin Shankar, IFS, Executive Director, MBMA and Team Lead, Agriculture Component of the Project, and Shri M. S. Manivannan, IAS, Secretary, Spices Board, in the presence of Dr. D. Vijay Kumar, IAS, Project Director, ADB IESALD Project.
The signing was attended by Shri Dharmendra Das, Director (Development), Spices Board; Dr. John Jo Varghese, Scientist, Spices Board; and officials from the Spices Board and MBMA.
The collaboration will support the promotion of Black Pepper, Large Cardamom and Cinnamon, with the Spices Board providing technical expertise and guidance on sustainable and scientific cultivation practices.
The MoU marks an important step towards strengthening institutional cooperation and is expected to support the development of sustainable, high-value spice-based livelihoods and agri-based economic opportunities for communities across Meghalaya.
