The story of Umsing C&RD Block in Ri-bhoi district is an excellent example of how community people's active participation in government program can bring positive change in their everyday life. Ri Bhoi District lies in an agro-climatic zone of Meghalaya, ideal for cultivation of a wide range of agriculture and horticulture crops. With 100% agrarian population, the life of people largely depends on agriculture. However, in rainy season, due to the sloping landscape of the terrain, farmers were facing difficulty in managing natural resources and water run-off from the farms.

Under MGNREGA, 60% of the projects implemented at the VEC level focuses on Natural Resource Management. To improve the natural landscape of unused land in Ri-bhoi district and conserve natural ecosystem with increase in water holding capacity of the land, the VEC’s chose this project. The villagers came forward to support the initiative, implemented bench terracing and earthen bunds, which enabled the villagers to do farming on the slope land. Since the project was undertaken under MNREGS, it has helped the people to generate employment opportunities within the village. Today, the villagers are producing nutritious vegetables like fresh beans, cucumber, carrot etc. which is adding nutrition to their diet and contributes in enhancing farmers produce, thereby improving financial condition of the locals.

Expressing his gratitude towards the Government, one of the job card holder said, “We are thankful to the Block Development Office & P.O. for implementing such initiative which has low material expenditures; it has a positive impact to the environment and the same time help us farmers to use the land for cultivation.”