The Registrar of Cooperative Societies Meghalaya Shillong, India is appointed by the Government of India under Sec. 3 (1) of the Meghalaya Cooperative Societies Acts (Assam Act 1 of 1950 as adopted by Meghalaya).The Registrar’s primary duties are the registration, supervision, assistance, counsel and control of registered Societies, besides acting as a catalyst to facilitate the overall development of the Cooperative Societies & Cooperative Movement as a whole. The Registrar also exercises  control & provides guidance on all aspects related to  Cooperative education & awareness.

                  There are altogether 1319 of Cooperative Societies registered in the state as on 31-3-2009 . Apart from Agricultural activities, these Cooperative Societies  have diversified into activities such as Handicrafts, Handlooms, Horticulture, industrial, transport and Allied agricultural activities such as Nature Tourism and eco-environmental Tourism.

ALLIED AGRI  CULTURAL & LIVESTOCK:

Under the allied-agricultural activities, there are Livestock & piggery Cooperatives and Farming Cooperative Societies which have adopted the “Bokashi Technology” (a Japanese word meaning fermented organic matter) piggery which uses Indigenous Micro Organism ( IMO ) to promote the growth and management of healthy pigs which is being promoted by the office of the Registrar of Coop. Societies in active collaboration with the Bethany Society, Meghalaya, Shillong.

HANDICRAFTS :

Handicraft activities have existed since time immemorial in Meghalaya. The people of the state have been producing indigeneous products made from the Bamboo and cane plants, which are abundantly available in the region, and which are thereafter crafted into baskets, containers, mullahs (stools), carpets, furniture like beds, sofa sets, decorative stands, table lamps shades. These have attracted both local & foreign tourist, who are attracted by their unique designs & organic character.

Besides, the above products, there are Cooperative Societies which are actively engaged in making decorative mats, mattress, bags, handy nets, decorative curtains, and rings from the fibre of the pineapple leaf which are abundantly available in the region, and which today has emerged as a niche item from the State.

A Cooperative Society from Ri-Bhoi District, Nongpoh, Meghalaya , India is actively engaged in an innovative scheme of producing a niche product loofah which has become an indispensable item of both use & luxury in various categories of spas & resorts. It is crafted from a wonder plant – the sohprew  on indigeneous loofah, which is not only 100% organic and natural but also has therapeutic value. It is in great demand in the present day and age where such products are widely in use in homes, spas, resorts & boutique, hotels the world over. In a world which is increasingly inclined towards the natural,  organic loofahs are not only the flavour & fashion of the day, but is here to stay as well. Globally the demand for such organic loofahs is about 50lakhs annually.

Bee-keeping :  

The Department in collaboration with the Khadi & Village Industries Board had identified Primary Cooperative Societies at the village level in Sohra Sub-Division, Meghalaya , India , Ri-Bhoi District, Nongpoh, Meghalaya, West Garo Hills District, Meghalaya is encouraging Bee Keeping industries under the Cooperative Sector. The members of these Cooperative Societies have been trained in scientific and improved method on Bee-keeping and using of tool kits as well. The Honey produced from this region is well known to every local and foreign tourist & is wide demand. Particularly the orange flavoured honey which is one of a kind from the Cherrapunjee areas the Worlds Wettest Place , and honey which is universally known as unique in its orange flavour.

Cashewnuts :

Cashewnuts a special product of Garo Hills   Region of the state is also very popular and has a wide demand in the local market and abroad. The product from this region is of high grade value especially the 6 J variety. The Garo Hills Cotton & Ginning Oil Mills Ltd at Phulbari in West Garo Hills District Meghalaya under the Cooperative Sector is the nodal agency for procurement of raw cashew which Markets, Processed & Packages Cashewnut all over the country.

HANDLOOM :

The Handloom Sector had also existed in the state  since time immemorial, and till the present, women folk particularly in the hilly areas of Garo Hills, Meghalaya , India are actively engaged in weaving and producing of Handloom products like sarees, shawls, table cloths, Gamsha, decorative mats. These products are being produced by the Primary Handloom Weavers Cooperative Societies of which majority are from Garo Hills Region of the state.

Natural dyes:  

Apart of Garo Hills Region, a small hamlet village in Ri-Bhoi District, Nongpoh, Meghalaya has brought laurels to the state through innovative Scheme of producing a Natural Dye which is organic in nature & widely used for the Handloom products. This initiative was taken up by the Primary Handloom Cooperative Society at Umshit Diwon village of Ri-Bhoi District, Nongpoh, Meghalaya. Experts from the National Institute of designs & production & Craft Council of India have appreciated the initiatives and innovative ideas of the members of the Umshit – Diwon Handloom Weavers Cooperative Society Ltd Ri-Bhoi District, Meghalaya, in their efforts to produce a range of 12 organic natural dyes.

There are also other type of Cooperative Societies which have multifarious activities and affiliated by nearly 180 to 200 Self - help groups. These Cooperatives have diversified their activities as per the inherent potentialities and as per availability of resources by their affiliated Self-help groups. Mendipathar Multipurpose Coop. Society in East Garo Hills District, Meghalaya, India is one of the Cooperative Societies which has mobilized the Rubber Growers & freed them from the clutches of the middlemen, and thereafter organized the rubber growers to produce and market the rubber to the Society which in turn is processed into rubber sheets and exported outside the state & has made a presence in the rubber market of Kerala as well. Recently, the Society is also promoting allied agricultural activities like Livestock Farming, and Floriculture to uplift the economic condition of its members and in the surroundings areas of operations.

The Women’s group Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd situated at Mowkyndeng Village of Jaintia Hills District Meghalaya is also a Cooperative Society which has been effectively  affiliated by nearly 200 self help groups from the surrounding areas of operation. The Society is involved in multifarious activities from agriculture, allied-agricultural activities besides producing handicrafts like dry flowers, pickles, ginger powder, chilli powder, Turmeric, wooden baskets, Bamboo & cane products, Consumers Shore & Dry flowers. It is the only Cooperative Society from the state which has regularly participated in many national and State level Exhibitions even in international Exhibitions such as at Johanesburg South Africa during the year 2007 where they have show cased their dry flowers products & other handicrafts products. Their products are now available in select boutiques of Bangalore as well.

The department on behalf of the Primary Cooperative Societies in the state will be showcasing & exhibiting these products in the World Cooperative exhibition ICA Expo 2010 so as to market  the indigeneous & niche products produced by the Cooperative Societies of the State.

This department has been making relentless efforts to motivate the members of the Cooperative Societies to focus their activities and to draw up innovative schemes which are critical to the economic development, with an overall aim  to facilitate greater involvement by both the Private Sector and Public Sector.