The Muktidata Multipurpose Cooperative Society

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The Muktidata Movement: A Story of Empowerment in Tikrikilla, Meghalaya

In the verdant landscapes of Tikrikilla, Meghalaya, a powerful cooperative movement is changing lives and reclaiming dignity for tribal farmers. The Muktidata Multipurpose Cooperative Society, established in 2015 and registered in 2016-2017, was born out of a critical need to combat the exploitation faced by local farmers. For years, middlemen, some of whom had settled from Bangladesh, had exploited the tribal communities of the region. They would offer minimal prices for a few years of a family's land and plantations—often for areca nut and pepper—through a deceptive mortgage system. This practice not only undervalued their hard work but also stripped them of their dignity and economic freedom.

The cooperative was founded on a mission to put an end to this cycle of exploitation. At its core, Muktidata is a testament to the belief that every tribal person is entitled to live with dignity and equality. Its vision is to build a peaceful, economically self-sufficient, and democratic tribal society, where individuals are empowered to compete with the rest of the world. A key objective is to empower women and make them economically self-sufficient, while also making the youth aware of their unique strengths and abilities

Cultivating Self-Sufficiency: Beyond the Farm

Muktidata's approach goes far beyond simply selling produce. It has created a comprehensive ecosystem of value addition and economic opportunity for its members. This model is built on several key initiatives:

Agro-based Processing Units: The society operates processing units for various crops, including turmeric, ginger, pineapple, and passion fruit. This prevents post-harvest losses and ensures farmers get better returns.

Collective Farming (Megh Farm): Through its "MeghFarm" initiative, Muktidata provides passion fruit saplings to hundreds of farmers, supporting them from planting to harvest.

Micro-Industries and Vocational Training: The cooperative supports detergent making, tribal ornaments, religious articles, and attire making—offering alternative incomes and preserving traditions.

Dairy, Poultry, and Piggery Farms: Muktidata runs its own dairy farm with 20 cows (under the Meghalaya Milk Mission) and supports poultry and piggery farms for revenue diversification.

Youth Employment Initiatives: To employ youth, Muktidata opened "MeghFood Emporium" (part-time jobs for students) and launched an Areca leaf plate-making unit for eco-friendly employment.

The Muktidata Multipurpose Cooperative Society is a shining example of how community-led initiatives can create lasting change. By providing education, resources, and a supportive framework, it helps farmers recover land while cultivating a future of dignity, independence, and prosperity for Tikrikilla.

Executive Body Members

Mrs Lipika A Sangma

President

Fr. Benoy Joseph

Managing Director & Secretary

Jama M Sangma

Vice President

Sandesh Bhakshaka

Joint Secretary

Bolen R Marak

Member

Rupali T Sangma

Member

Silseng Marak

Member

Sipswari Rabha

Member

Batnang Momin

Member

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