Pongamia plantation is a challenging initiative where 40% of the cost of development is to be borne by the farmers. However, Shri. Iasylloki Lyngdoh, Secretary of East Jaintia Biofuel Farmers Association took innovative steps in the development of Pongamia Plantation in Rymbai village. He has emerged as a strong leader who is able to change the mental attitude of the people, who wants to do nothing but coal mining. Under the guidance of Integrated Basin Development Unit, a village co-operative society known as East Jaintia Bio-fuel Association was formed. This society has come forward with a minimum area of 500 hectares. Pongamia plantation was formally launched on the 5th of June, 2013 by Shri. Prestone Tynsong, Honorable Minister of Community & Rural Development, Forest & Environment in the presence of the local MLAs Shri. Justine Dkhar & Shri.Hopeful Bamon, Shri.K.N.Kumar IAS, Principal Secretary of C&RD, Smt. C.Kharkongor CEO of MSRLS, Shri. Ethelbert Kharmalki Director of SIRD together with the officers of all line Departments and Headmen of different villages.
The promotion of Bio-fuel plantations will promote rural development; it will also develope community land not otherwise used as stated by Shri. P. Tynsong. He concluded by saying that it would provide livelihood for the small farmers. Other benefits of Bio-fuel plantations are its rejuvenating property which would result in improving the soil nutrients and arresting soil erosion.