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Shillong, August 31, 2022: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said that the State through “Progress” scheme envisions to tap opportunities by ensuring that the farmers earn sustainable livelihood through different livestock farming activities.

Launching the ambitious flagship programme for the farmers – Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme” under National Livestock Mission at Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi, the Chief Minister said that the Govt through different welfare schemes is successfully providing income generation opportunities and economic prosperity of the farmers.

He informed that Meghalaya acquires 18,000 MT of pork from different State and their is huge shortfall in supply and demand and through the piggery scheme the State envisions to address the shortage of pork supply.

He informed that the flagship programme “Progress” has been conceptualised by the govt to ensure prosperity of grassroot families through livestock intervention which includes piggery, poultry, goatry, etc.

Under Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme – phase 1, Govt has earmarked ₹ 15.18 cr under which 4 high yielding improved variety will be distributed to 6000 families.

The Chief Minister informed that additional ₹25 cr will be earmarked to roll out the second phase of the programme.

Additional Information:
To make State self sufficient in pork, Government is implementing one of the largest piggery development programme the ‘Meghalaya Piggery Mission’.

Under this mission zero interest loan is provided for setting up of fattening and pig breeding. So far 250 piggery cooperative societies have availed loan amounting to 43.67 crore.

To further exploit the potential of piggery sector, the Government had launched “Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme” funded by the Central Government under National Livestock Mission and also State Government.

The scheme was launched on 10th August in Samanda block in East Garo Hills. The scheme received a good response and appreciation from farmers.

Under this scheme 4 piglets, 3 female and 1 male piglets will be distributed to farmers to promote pig breeding to provide regular income to farmer. This livestock package is worth of 25,000 per beneficiary. This scheme is envisaged to benefit 6000 poor and marginal farmers and also increase pork production in the State.

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.