Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion (IBDLP) — Agriculture & Livestock Livelihoods

Why it matters

Join a livelihood-sector entrepreneurship programme (including horticulture, livestock, apiculture and aquaculture) that funds and mentors small rural enterprises basin by basin.

What you get

Launched in 2012 as Meghalaya's flagship development programme, the Integrated Basin Development and Livelihood Promotion (IBDLP) programme aims to rejuvenate the state's natural water-basin resources while empowering entrepreneurial capacity across nine identified livelihood sectors: apiculture, aquaculture, forestry and plantation crops, horticulture, livestock, rural energy, sericulture, tourism, and water. Implemented through the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) under the overall direction of a Basin Development Council headed by the Chief Minister, the programme provides funding, mentoring and market linkage support to farmers and rural entrepreneurs taking up entrepreneur-led ventures in these sectors, with project selection and resource allocation organised around natural river-basin units rather than purely administrative boundaries.

Eligibility criteria

• Must be a resident of Meghalaya proposing an entrepreneur-led venture in one of the nine identified livelihood sectors
• Project must align with the basin-level development plan for the applicant's area
• Subject to appraisal and approval by MBDA or its district-level units

How to apply

1. 1

   Contact the local MBDA office or village-level basin development committee

2. 2

   Submit a livelihood project proposal in the chosen sector (horticulture, livestock, apiculture, aquaculture, etc.)

3. 3

   Project appraisal and approval at the relevant basin/district level

4. 4

   Receive funding, mentoring and market-linkage support to implement the project

Documents required

• Aadhaar card
• Residence proof
• Project proposal
• Bank account details
• Land/site document where applicable