On October 16, 2024, the ICAR Research Complex for the North-Eastern Hill Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, organized an equipment handover programme for Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs). This event was jointly conducted by the Division of Technology Assessment and Capacity Building and the Division of System Research and Engineering. During the programme, representatives from the CHCs of Umket, Umrynjah, and Umktieh Mawkhim villages received two petrol-powered weeders, two knapsack sprayers, along with one turmeric washer and one power tiller each. Additionally, one number of power tiller was handed over to the CHC of Mawsaithknam village under the Farmers’ FIRST programme. Equipping CHCs with modern machinery is a vital step toward empowering rural farmers. CHCs play a crucial role in rural farming by providing access to equipment that many farmers cannot afford, thereby enhancing productivity and reducing financial burdens. By enabling equipment rental, these centres facilitate timely operations during critical periods such as planting, harvesting and post-harvest process. Furthermore, CHCs promote sustainable farming practices and stimulate local economies by increasing agricultural productivity, ultimately supporting the overall development of rural communities. The programme was coordinated by Dr. N. Uttam Singh (Senior Scientist); Er. Naseeb Singh (Scientist, Agricultural Engineering), Dr. H. Rymbai (Scientist, Horticulture), Dr. A. Balusamy (Scientist, Environmental Science); Dr. M. Bishonath Singh (Senior Research Fellow) and Mr. Wanbiang Dkhar (Project Assistant).