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Chief Minister distributes cheques under FOCUS at Salmanpara

Shillong, February 24, 2022: Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, today distributed cheques to producer groups of South West Garo Hills at Salmanpara Muti Facility Centre. The programme was also attended by MDC, Boldamgre, Stevie Marak, MDC, Nogorpara, Linekar K Sangma and officials from the district.
Speaking to the gathering comprising of producer groups, farmers and the general public, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma while highlighting the salient features, and objectives of the FOCUS programme informed the gathering that the financial support that is being given is an assistance and not a loan.

“Similarly there are number of programs which we have initiated under a mission mode for which the government has allocated 700 crores to create livelihood opportunities for our women, farmers and youth,” he said. He also said that the the people can also seek assistance for their farming activities through the Integrated Village Cooperative Societies. While urging the people to use the financial assistance for the welfare of the group to increase production, increase the income and to improve farming activities he also asked the people to take interest in the different livelihood schemes and programs of the government. Informing that 32 producer groups with 424 members would be given cheques amounting to Rs 21,10,000 during the programme he also urged the members of the groups to work as a team with cooperation and understanding among themselves.
He later interacted with the farmers and producer groups and addressed their queries.

Under the Zikzak Block, South West Garo Hills, cheques worth Rs 27.80 lakhs were distributed to 42 producer groups. the FOCUS programme which is being implemented in a mission mode has not only been able to help famers earn the highest income in the country but has also helped them to upscale their farming activities and livelihoods.

During his day long visit to South west Garo Hills, the Chief Minister also inspected various ongoing developmental projects in the district. He inspected the Bandalkona Combined Water Supply Scheme under Jal Jeevan Mission under the Betaking Block. The Water Supply Scheme has provided 100% Fixed Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to Bandalkona and works are ongoing to achieve 100 % FHTC for another three villages under it covering a total of 302 households by April 2022. The Chief Minister also inspected the Garobadha-Ampati-Samati road. The road is in an advanced stage of completion.

Initiatives : Agriculture

Launch of “Restart Meghalaya Mission’ on 15th August 2020

The Mission comprise of a series of interventions to support farmers and entrepreneurs by enabling them to build growth-promoting basic infrastructure and services. Under this Mission, 1917iTEAMS – the IT Platform aimed at enabling farmers access to agricultural information, crop advisories and markets will be expanded logistically through induction of another 100 vehicles.

Creation of the Directorate of Food Processing on May 2018

With the objective of seizing opportunities in the sector and the untapped food processing potential of the state for uplifting the livelihoods of farmers and value chain actors, the Government of Meghalaya created the Directorate of Food Processing (DFP) as a one-stop agency to handle all matters relating to food processing in the state and to deal with all central government Ministries and Agencies (viz. Ministries of Agriculture, and Food Processing, SFAC, NCDC, NABARD, etc.) in all matters pertaining to the development of agricultural food processing sector.

First Ever Farmer’s Parliament held on 4th - 5th December 2018

The parliament was organised by the state department of agriculture in collaboration with Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA) and the Hill Farmers' Union (HFU). As a step toward the promotion of new technologies, HFU with the support of Meghalaya government, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence App for farmers — called Nongrep (nongrep in Khasi language means farmer) with its software partner Impetus Solutions from Hyderabad — as a social innovation project. This app will address matters of farm aggregations, soil health and disease identification, crop yield, farm produce pickups, market linkage and retail sellers app.

Launch of the Farmer’s Portal on 7th May 2018

The Meghalaya Famers’ Portal (www.megfarmers.gov.in) of the Department of Agriculture is a platform for farmers to seek any information related to agriculture. Detailed information on farmers’ insurance, agricultural storage, crops, extension activities, seeds, pesticides, farm machineries, etc. is provided. Details of fertilizers, market prices, package and practices, programmes, welfare schemes are also given.

Awards & Recognitions
  • Meghalaya has been selected for the Commendation award in 'Total foodgrains Category-III' for 2017-18. The award consists of a citation and an amount of Rs. 1 crore.
  • Meghalaya Agriculture Department and the MIE Meghalaya Team won the '7th eNabling North East (eNorth East) Award 2019-20' in the 'Agriculture & Rural Development' category for 1917 iTEAMS project which is a project in collaboration with Digital India.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi awarded Meghalaya on May 2018 the Krishi Commendation Award for the year 2015-16, in recognition of the commendable foodgrains production achieved by the State.
  • Meghalaya has been adjudged the Most Improved Small State in the category of Agriculture and received the India Today – "The State of the States” Award on 23rd November 2018.