Rs 1,700 Crores invested: Meghalaya’s CM highlights Rural Entrepreneurship success at RURALPRENEUR ’25

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 19, 2025

Meghalaya’s rural entrepreneurs are seeing the impact of sustained government support, with over Rs 1,700 crores invested in building a thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem. The Government of Meghalaya, through PRIME Rural and the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA), inaugurated RURALPRENEUR ’25 on August 19 at the State Central Library, Shillong. The two-day event brings together rural entrepreneurs, government officials, partner institutions, and industry experts.

In his address, the Chief Minister reflected on the state’s journey in fostering entrepreneurship over the past seven years. He recalled the launch of the Chief Minister’s Entrepreneurship Prize in 2018, awarding Rs 1 lakh each month to budding entrepreneurs.

“From that modest beginning, we slowly started to think about how to provide deeper support. The most important aspect of this journey is to create a culture of entrepreneurship—a culture of taking calculated risks, of looking at problems and seeing opportunities, of not depending solely on government jobs. It is about building an ecosystem where those who want to start businesses can find the support they need,” he said.

The Chief Minister shared candidly about his own struggles as a young entrepreneur in the late 1990s, when support systems were nearly nonexistent. “I started an internet service provider with limited knowledge and resources, often feeling alone and without guidance. Even a word of encouragement would have meant so much—but it wasn’t there, because people were not familiar with entrepreneurship. These experiences shaped the policies I design today. I know the struggles entrepreneurs face, and I know how even small support can make a difference between giving up and holding on for one more day,” he said.

He highlighted the government’s continued commitment to supporting entrepreneurs: “More than Rs 1,700 crores have been invested through programs like PRIME Urban, PRIME Rural, PRIME Collectives, CM Elevate, and various skilling initiatives. It is not only about funding but also about building ecosystems, connecting entrepreneurs to markets, and providing mentorship.”

The Chief Minister also emphasized the empowerment of self-help groups and micro-entrepreneurship: “SHGs that once managed funds of Rs 30 crores before 2018 have now received over Rs 1,000 crores in support. Food processing units, PRIME hubs, and other infrastructure are being built across the state.”

Urging entrepreneurs to persevere despite obstacles, he said: “Many entrepreneurs fail not because their ideas are bad, but because they stop trying. If you believe in your idea, keep going. We will stand with you.”

He called on institutions, schools, companies, and government departments to support local entrepreneurs by purchasing their products. “This year, I want to ensure that even the Christmas gift hampers I send to the Prime Minister and other leaders are made entirely from local entrepreneurs’ products, with their stories included,” he affirmed.

The Chief Minister praised partnerships such as the SELCO Foundation, noting the transformative impact of their work: “The Rs 18 crores provided includes a loan component, a 25% subsidy from SELCO, a grant from MBMA, and a small contribution of about 5% from the entrepreneurs themselves. I want to officially place on record my sincere appreciation to SELCO for the transformative work they have been doing to improve the lives of people in Meghalaya.”

Looking ahead, he envisioned stronger supply chains connecting rural and urban entrepreneurs, with local packaging units supporting producers and SHGs integrated with PRIME collectives. He also cited success stories like a young soap-maker from West Jaintia Hills, exemplifying resilience and the spirit of Ruralpreneur.

The inaugural session included speeches by Dr. Harish Hande, CEO of SELCO Foundation; Sampath Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary; Dr. Vijay Kumar D., IAS, CEO, MBMA; Saloni Verma, IAS, Executive Director, PRIME; and Minha Riyaz Khan, Project Lead, PRIME Rural.

Day One featured MoU signings with partner institutions, release of the PRIME Rural B-B Catalogue, distribution of cheques to MBMA–SELCO beneficiaries, certification of PRIME Fellows and Associates, networking workshops, panel discussions, GEM onboarding, and cultural performances.

Day Two will continue with block-wise networking workshops, UDYAM onboarding, business registration and packaging workshops, cultural programs by entrepreneurs, and a closing ceremony.

RURALPRENEUR ’25 highlights the tangible impact of Meghalaya’s investments, showcasing thriving rural enterprises while strengthening the ecosystem that enables entrepreneurship to flourish.