The establishment of the Extension Training Centre (ETC) at Nongsder Meghalaya is yet another landmark in the State of Meghalaya and particularly in the field of rural development. The rural development training programmes of the Extension Training Centre will serve the needs of the 39 Community Development Blocks located within the 7 Districts of the State of Meghalaya.               

The Blocks as the nodal implementation agencies of all Rural Development Programmes requires efficient and well-trained extension field staff. It was with this goal in view that the Government of Meghalaya set its sights on establishing of the Extension Training Centre exclusively for Rural Development in the State. The Extension Training Centre at Nongsder, which is the first of its kind in Meghalaya hopes to cater to the training needs of the grassroot level rural development functionaries of the entire State.

OUR VISION

                To be counted among the most progressive, creative and trusted extension training centres in the country

OUR MISSION

                To Train and facilitate our Extension Officers, village level workers, our Gram Sevaks and Sevikas, farmers, village leaders, Traditional Heads of Local Institutions, Beneficiaries of Development Schemes, Representatives of Voluntary Organisations, Self Help Groups and many others involved in Rural Development to enable them to acquire managerial and technical skills that would a positive change in the rural areas, first to the State and the Country as a whole.

OUR MANDATE

1. Develop linkages among different institutions involved in rural development and extension training activities
2. Gain insight into extension systems and policies
3. Promote the application of modern and effective extension methods and tools for improving the effectiveness of extension work through better management of human and material resources
4. Organise need based training programmes for all extension and grassroot level functionaries involved in rural development.
5. Conduct problem oriented studies in rural development extension management.
6. Function as a documentation centre for collecting, storing, processing and disseminating information on all aspects of rural development extension works
7. Carry out project works in rural development areas using participatory extension systems

TRAINING ACTIVITIES

                The Extension Training Centre will cater to the needs of all Block level extension workers, Gram Sevaks and Sevikas, ministerial staff of the Community Development Blocks, Beneficiaries of Rural Development Schemes, NGOs and other village level organisations and workers and the Heads of Traditional Institutions.

                As per the recommendation of the Expert Group on SIRD/ETC dated 29/10/86 it was proposed that the ETC would conduct training programmes on the following disciplines:

1.     Agriculture, Agriculture Extension, Agriculture Technology
2.     Economics, Policy Planning and Project Formulation
3.     Low cost Housing, Energy Conservation, Rural Water Supply etc.
4.     Family Health and Welfare Programmes
5.     Sociology, Psychology and Panchayati Raj

                It was also proposed to train 20-40 persons at a time in course of various disciplines with course of 7-30 days or as per the syllabus direction of a particular faculty. The number of training and trainees would be increased subsequently as per the requirement and availability of fund.

                However in the actual, conduct of ETC programmes as per the Guidelines for Intensifying Training Related Activities in Strengthening State Centres for Training in Rural Development/Establishment of Extension Training Centres of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, dated 8^th December 1994 " The Extension Training Centre shall design training modules in consultation with NIRD and SIRD and there after compulsorily conduct courses for

1.     Rural Artisans
2.     Rural Entrepreneurs
3.     Gram Sevaks/Sevikas/VLWs
4.     Secretaries of Panchayats and Co-operatives
5.     Sarpanch and Panch of all Gram Panchayats
6.     Grassroot level functionaries of all other developmental departments
7.     Office bearers of social service organisations dealing in rural development
8.     Orientation to sustainable Development Themes like Watershed Development
9.     Convergence of important social Sectoral themes at the field level

                It also stated that all ETCs in the State should function under the control and guidance of the SIRD as the Apex Training Institution in Rural Development.

                The ETC Meghalaya is located at the SIRD campus at Nongsder, which is situated at a distance of 20 kilometres from the capital city Shillong. The ETC includes within it the

1. The Administrative Building
2. The Women’s Hostel

                The Administrative Building is a three-storied structure, which includes an Auditorium and Office rooms in the ground floor. The first floor was built to accommodate the Library, the Principal’s room, Faculty rooms and an Office room. The second floor includes a Faculty room, a Computer room, and two training rooms. The construction work of the Administrative Building of Extension Training Centre commenced on the 8^th February 2000 and was completed on 18^th July 2001. The total cost for construction was Rs. 25,02,720.00. The construction work was allotted to Mr. R. Kshiar, Registered Government Contractor, Class-I.

                The ETC Women’s Hostel is a single storied building and houses four double-bedded rooms with attached baths, a lounge, a dinning room and a kitchen. The total cost of construction for the Hostel stands at 10,57,280.00. The work was allotted to Mr. T. Kurbah Registered Government Contractor, Class-I.

                It may be mentioned that the ETC structures have been designed and constructed in a way that will fall in line with the architectural style of the already established SIRD buildings. Special Mention may be made to the efforts of Mr. P. K. Bhaiya, Officer on Special Duty, for drawing the plans, Mr. M. Thangkhiew, Estate Officer for his untiring effort at overseeing and supervising the entire construction throughout, the Faculty members SIRD for putting in their necessary contribution and support, and our Director, Mrs. L. Diengdoh for adding in the final touches.

                The ETC training programmes have already been started since 1995 under the auspices of the State Institute of Rural Development and the efforts to a wider coverage was however limited. With the start of the ETC programmes within its own premises it is hope that there will be a wider coverage of the ETC vision, mission and mandate.