ICCo

Two-day Honey Market Place 🐝

East Centre for Technology Application and Reach, NECTAR, in collaboration with ICCo India, , , and , organized a two-day Honey Market Place at on 17-18 April 2026 to promote from the and strengthen direct market linkages between producers and buyers.

The event featured an inaugural session graced by Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma (Director General, NECTAR), Ms. Namrata Khanna (Director, India Honey Alliance), and Dr. Usha Dixit, Scientist, along with buyers, students, NECTAR officials, NGOs, and members of the Assam People Welfare Association–Noida.

Dr. Arun Sarma, Director General of NECTAR, highlighted the organization’s efforts in advancing , supporting over 1,000 farmers, distributing bee colonies, and strengthening infrastructure and market systems in the region.

Welcoming the gathering, Shri Alay Barah, Executive Director of ICCo, emphasized that the event would create new market hashtag for Northeast beekeepers through direct engagement with major brands and customers, while also promoting knowledge sharing, partnerships, and sustainable livelihoods.

Other speakers, including Shri Rajendra Jena, Ms. Namrata Khanna (Indian Honey Alliance), and Dr. Usha Dixit, emphasized the importance of , , and addressing challenges such as while expanding opportunities.

A key highlight was the - meet, which provided farmers with practical inputs on quality improvement and market access. KisanSay, represented by Mr. Malay Dubey, shared a transparent, farmer-focused procurement approach, while participation from brands like Patanjali Foods, Haldiram Products Private Limited, and emerging players such as Makarandi and Staple Kaka indicated strong potential for partnerships and capacity-building support.

The event also featured an exhibition of honey and beehive products, technical sessions on quality and marketing, and student engagement activities. Overall, it strengthened collaboration, enhanced visibility for Northeast honey, and set the stage for sustained growth in the sector.

We are pleased to share that ICCo successfully inaugurated the Project – Village Lab for Sustainable Livelihoods on the 24 February 2026 at Kumarkuchi Village, Morigaon, Assam 🌱

A project Supported by to be implemented by in collaboration with , Morigaon, marks the beginning of a collective effort to strengthen sustainable, community-driven livelihoods at the village level.

The programme was graced by the presence of the Chief General Manager, - National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, the Senior Scientist and Head of , Morigaon, the District Development Manager, Morigaon, the Gobha Raja, Members of the , Morigaon, the Block Project Manager of , , President of the Gobha Panchayat and The Executive Director of .

In addition, over 200+ community members from our targetted villages of , and attended the programme, reflecting strong community engagement and collective ownership of the initiative.

The formal inauguration and sapling distribution symbolised our shared commitment to sustainability, local action, and resilient rural futures.

At ICCo, we continue to work and communities to translate ideas into meaningful impact and build resilient, sustainable rural livelihoods.



Aushajya Saikia | Chitraban Sarma | Rangav Sarma | Ritu Raj Gogoi

ICCo is delighted to share a significant milestone in our journey toward strengthening sustainable and community-led development in Assam.

We are pleased to share that we have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Assam Agroforestry Development Board (AADB).

The signing took place at the Director’s Office in Bokakhat, in the esteemed presence of IFS Sonali Ghosh, CEO–AADB and Field Director–Kaziranga National Park, along with the Executive Director and team members from ICCo.

We look forward to working closely with AADB to create meaningful, long-term outcomes for rural communities and the environment.

Together, we move forward with purpose. 🌿

জুবিন গাৰ্গ কেৱল এজন শিল্পী নহয়, তেখেত অসমৰ গৌৰৱ, তেখেত অসমৰ আত্মা। তেখেতৰ সুৰেৰে আমি আমাৰ সুখ -দুখ, উৎসৱ আৰু জীৱন সংগ্ৰামৰ কণ্ঠস্বৰ বিচাৰি পাওঁ। এক দশকতকৈ অধিক সময় ধৰি তেখেতৰ গান আমাৰ জীৱনৰ প্ৰতিটো পলৰ অবিচ্ছেদ্য অঙ্গ হৈ আছে আৰু চিৰকাল থাকিব

A glimpse of cherished moments with the legendary artist in Singapore. May his soul rest in peace, and may his songs live through Generations.

Empowering Young Minds for Social Change! 🌱

ICCo’s Executive Director engaged with 5th-semester students of Kamargaon College in an insightful session on Understanding NGOs, Civil Society, and Social Enterprises. The session highlighted the vital role that not-for-profit organizations, civil society groups, and social enterprises play in building inclusive, sustainable communities.

💡 Students gained clarity on:
✔️ What defines an NGO, a civil society group, and a social enterprise
✔️ How these entities contribute to community empowerment
✔️ The difference between profit-driven models and purpose-driven impact
✔️ Real-life success stories from Assam in turmeric farming, handloom, and fishery sectors – all led by women changemakers

We believe today’s youth are tomorrow’s change leaders - and it starts with awareness.

ICCo conducted a training on Vermicomposting, Disease & Natural Pest Management Practices at Sanyug Samridhi PG under the Turmeric Cluster, Goalpara.

Empowering farmers with eco-friendly techniques for healthier and sustainable turmeric cultivation!

Empowering Startups in Dibrugarh!

An awareness program on the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme was successfully conducted at DIC Dibrugarh, engaging budding entrepreneurs and early-stage startups. Led by Gayatri Baruah, ICCo's Chief Program Manager, the session provided valuable insights into funding opportunities, eligibility, and application processes to turn innovative ideas into reality.

We are excited to partner with Wadhwani Foundation for the Wadhwani Liftoff program to and from the Northeast of India!

This is a tailored program to help entrepreneurs accelerate growth, secure funding, and achieve success with ZERO equity dilution.

Check out the program here: https://lnkd.in/gC44ACkj

Plastic mulch vs Banana leaves?

ICCo India chose the way!

Today, we moved our germinated cucumber, okra, beans, and bottle gourd seedlings into their new home in the main field. But not without care! It’s not just about planting. It’s how we plant that makes all the .

We maintained proper spacing between each seedling to ensure they have enough room to grow strong and healthy.

We used dry banana leaves as mulch—a natural, no-waste solution that:
🌿Suppresses w**d growth by blocking sunlight
🌿Keeps the soil moist for longer, reducing the need for constant watering
🌿Improves soil fertility as the leaves decompose, releasing vital nutrients like potassium, magnesium, and calcium

Instead of plastic mulch or chemical inputs, our are sticking with what nature already provides. This is the kind of low-cost, high-impact we believe in, where , and sustainability is second nature.

No chemicals. No waste. Just simple, sustainable farming that works with nature, not against it. Let's ! Follow us to engage in more conversations on !