Raphael Warjri

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. 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), Department of Biotechnology
(DBT), Govt. of India.  IBSD is an institute of Department of Biotechnology, which is
working on the bioresource management and its sustainable development through
biotechnological interventions in NER which has its presence in Imphal (Manipur),
Gangtok (Sikkim), Shillong (Meghalaya) and Aizawl (Mizoram). Major thrust area of
IBSD is development of bioeconomy from bioresources with special reference to NER.
In this context, IBSD is synergising all its research activities & outreach programmes for
societal upliftment and livelihood generation of this region. Director, IBSD mentioned
that major focus of this programme is capacity building and training of women bio-
entrepreneurs and farmers from different parts of Ri-Bhoi, 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.
Director, IBSD also highlighted about another collaborative program of IBSD & BRDC
under “Himalayan Bioresource Mission” to document, evaluate and scientifically validate
rich traditional knowledge of different ethnic communities of Meghalaya. In line with the
exploration of bioresources, IBSD has set up the Phytopharmaceutical mission
program. It is a viable platform for knowledge sharing, which require scientific validation
and ethno-entrepreneurship through the use of traditional medicine and value addition
through different perspectives. In this context, he urged the Government of Meghalaya
to setup the phytopharmaceutical mission program to innovation leading to respect for
our ‘parampara’, on the use of medicinal plants and bioresources to boost the
bioeconomy of the region.
During the program, Chief Guest, Dr. M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, Hon’ble 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. Hon’ble 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. Shri Gunanka D. B., Joint Secretary, Planning Department, Govt. of
Meghalaya & Member Secretary, BRDC congratulates all the beneficiaries and
encouraged to promote orchid floriculture in this region. Shri 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 model. 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 and thanks all the
dignitaries, BIRAC and DBT, New Delhi for all the assistance & support. The program
was attended by more than 500 participants including beneficiaries, women
entrepreneurs from Ri-Bhoi, students from Ferrando Centre, scientists, scholars, staffs
of BRDC and IBSD, Upper Shillong, Meghalaya.