Hello, I’m Geneva Dohling, the founder and proprietor of Megha Mountain Organics. I come from a long line of farmers in Meghalaya, with my father being a ginger cultivator and a livestock farmer. Through his work, I grew up learning about the land and the challenges faced by our farmers. Inspired by his dedication and my desire to create something sustainable, Megha Mountain Organics was born.
At Megha Mountain Organics, our mission is simple but powerful—to transform the agricultural landscape of Meghalaya using sustainable practices, while empowering our local communities. We believe in creating a farm that not only produces high-quality organic products but also provides economic opportunities for the people who live and work here.
Why I Established Megha Mountain Organics
The idea for Megha Mountain Organics started as a dream to bring change to the region’s farming practices. In my community, farmers often face significant challenges: lack of infrastructure, unstable prices, and difficulties meeting international standards for organic farming. I wanted to change that.
With the support and mentorship of the Agri-Business Incubation (ABI) program under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), I found the tools and knowledge needed to make this dream a reality. ICAR has been our knowledge backbone, guiding us every step of the way as we develop a business plan that is not only high-yielding but also sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Challenges We Face in Meghalaya
Of course, no journey is without its challenges, and farming in Meghalaya is no exception. We face
several key obstacles that we’re actively working to overcome:
Lack of infrastructure: Essential systems such as irrigation, storage facilities, and transportation are limited, making large-scale farming difficult.
Unreliable supply chain: Farmers in the region struggle to maintain consistent quality and pricing, leading to disruptions in the supply chain.
Order cancellations: We’ve had to cancel orders in the past due to fluctuating prices and inconsistent quality, which makes growth unsustainable.
Lack of organic certification: Many farmers in the region are unfamiliar with the certification process required to sell products on the international market, limiting their access to lucrative opportunities.
Our Solution: Integrated Farming Across 500 Acres
At Megha Mountain Organics, we have set an ambitious goal: to purchase and lease 500 acres of land for integrated farming. This solution allows us to combine organic crop cultivation—focusing on high-value products like Ginger, Lakadong Turmeric, Ghost Chili Peppers, black pepper, and cinnamon—with livestock farming, including Hampshire pigs and Vanaraja chickens. By creating a closed-loop system, we aim to ensure high-quality production with minimal environmental impact.
Our collaboration with ABI ICAR is central to this model. Their expertise is helping us create a farm that is climate-resilient, efficient, and ready to meet the demands of both local and global markets. ICAR’s mentorship has helped us build a foundation for a farm that is high-yield, high-quality, and fully sustainable.
My Goals and the Path Forward
My primary goal is to establish our 500-acre integrated farm, and I’m confident that with ICAR’s mentorship, we will be able to develop a successful model that sets a new standard for sustainable farming in Northeast India. Our main objectives include:
Helping local farmers achieve organic certification, opening up access to international markets.
Building a reliable supply chain that guarantees product quality and fair pricing.
Providing economic opportunities for women and tribal communities through sustainable farming practices.
Creating a farm that is resilient to climate change, utilizing the latest research and best practices provided by ICAR.
SWOT Analysis
Strengths:
The invaluable support and mentorship of ABI ICAR, offering us cutting-edge agricultural research and innovation.
Our position as a women-led initiative focused on tribal community upliftment.
An ideal climate and terrain for cultivating high-value organic products such as Ghost Chili Peppers and spices.
A scalable integrated farming model that can be replicated across the region.
Weaknesses:
Limited access to infrastructure that supports large-scale farming.
Difficulty in maintaining a consistent supply chain due to fluctuating product quality and
pricing.
A lack of organic certification knowledge among local farmers, which limits market access.
Opportunities:
The growing global demand for organic and premium agricultural products.
The potential to scale our sustainable farming model with the continued guidance of ICAR.
Increased international interest in socially responsible investments that prioritize sustainability and community development.
Threats:
Climate change remains a significant risk to farming yields and livestock.
Competition from other organic producers with better-developed supply chains.
Volatile international market prices for spices and other high-value crops.
Investment: Bringing Our Vision to Life
To bring this vision to life, Megha Mountain Organics requires investment. This funding will allow us to:
Acquire 500 acres of land for integrated farming with Purchase and lease.
Build essential infrastructure, including irrigation, storage, and transportation systems.
Expand our livestock operations by increasing the number of Hampshire pigs and Vanaraja chickens.
Develop a sustainable supply chain that ensures consistent quality and delivery of our products to both local and global markets.
Train local farmers in organic certification, empowering them to meet international standards and access higher-value markets.
Why You Should Invest in Megha Mountain Organics
Megha Mountain Organics is more than just a farm—it’s a vision for the future of sustainable agriculture in Northeast India. With the expertise and mentorship of ABI ICAR, we are uniquely positioned to build a successful, scalable, and sustainable business. An investment in Megha Mountain Organics is an investment in:
Sustainability: Our integrated farming model prioritizes environmental responsibility and resource efficiency.
Community empowerment: We are focused on creating jobs and opportunities for women and tribal communities.
High-growth potential: With increasing global demand for organic and sustainable products, our business is poised for significant expansion.
Scalability: With ICAR’s guidance, we can replicate this farming model across multiple regions.
I believe that, together, we can transform the agricultural landscape of Meghalaya. By investing in Megha Mountain Organics, you’re not only helping to build a high-yield, sustainable farm but also supporting a brighter future for the people and communities of this region.
Comments