The fair was inaugurated by DoNER Minister Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar who in his speech said that SHGs were responsible for lifting the economic status of the people of Karbi Anglong. Citing figures he said that earlier, 90 per cent of the people in Karbi Anglong were living below the poverty line but with the setting up of the SHGs, the figure has dropped to 26 per cent. According to Mani Shankar Aiyar, SHGs have taught the people of the region which is home to diverse tribes to live in peace with one another. Urging the people of the North East to work hard, he said that he wanted the region to become the arrowhead of development in the nation.

Rural artisans in the NERCORMP project villages are mostly handloom weavers, bamboo-craftsmen, wood-craftsmen, cane-craftsmen, potters, masons and farmers. Some women have also taken up enterprises such as food processing, soap making, and some value addition to augment their weaving. The farmers in these areas are growing natural crops, hence the agro products are naturally organic. With the demand in the urban market for organic food their produce can fetch a good value in the cities.

The NERCORMP project made interventions in various areas for value addition, upgradation and linkages for and of the rural products. Women are given training in incorporating modern designs in the weaves. They are given handlooms to work with which increased the output. Designers are contacted to introduce and train the women in new designs which will find acceptability in the globalised world. Now these women sell their products in the international market through the exporters in Punjab and Rajasthan. The NERCORMP also organises exhibitions cum sale of the products made by the artisans. They have even participated in the famous Delhi Haat. The famous black pottery of Ukhrul was given exposure in the exhibitions. The project also promotes farmers and farm products by giving them training on soil and water conservation, on how to preserve bio-reserves, on organic fertilizers, providing them with high yielding varieties of seeds and encouraging them to grow collectively rather than in small land-holdings to build a bigger mass.

In fact for all that the North eastern region produces, the lack of forward and backward linkages stands as an important barrier since lack of marketing opportunities forces the economy to operate on a low scale and the latter, in turn, does not provide much marketable surplus. In fact when we spoke to one of the vendors at the fair he said that the produces do not go beyond the place of production, and if anyone from the urban centre wants to procure them they have to order them from the SHGs.

The participants who took part in the NEAT FEST 2009 had come from places like Senapati and Ukhrul districts in Manipur, North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong districts of Assam and West Khasi Hills and West Garo Hills districts of Meghalaya. The wares on display at the fair were of international standard and the participants deserve accolades. But, as compared to mass production the products on display are much inferior in terms of packaging and also a lot needs to be done in terms of marketing strategies. It is hoped that the fair will create awareness in the minds of the rural artisans and producers on the one hand and on the other hand, creating awareness about the various range of products in the minds of the consumers.