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Shillong, 9th Aug 2023: Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, today attended the International day of the World’s Indigenous People organized by North East Indigenous People’s Forum (NEIPF), Meghalaya Chapter at Multi Conventional Hall at NEHU, Shillong.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, said that the different issues of the indigenous people of the North East has always been a concern to him. “The different political parties or different organizations or forums have the same goal when it comes to the indigenous people that is to preserve our identity, our roots and about who we are that makes us different from the other communities and being proud of our identity,” he said.

He added that it is important to change the mind-set of the people especially the indigenous community and stop expecting that there will be a reservation in all aspects of life. “We need to look beyond reservation and the mind-set of the youth of the North East should be that they are competent enough to compete with anyone in the world,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that it is imperative that while having an identity and being proud of it things are not taken for granted. He further urged the NEIPF to push for documentation on the identity of the different indigenous people of the North East. “The government of Meghalaya is working together with the three autonomous councils to document the different aspects of the culture and tradition of the indigenous people of the State,” he informed.

He also different states of the North East because of the diverse indigenous communities face issues and challenges and it is through programs and forums like these that North east can rise above those issues and problems and can come together as a strong region. “It pains me to see the situation of Manipur and I hope forums like NEIPF will take up the matter for a peaceful resolution in Manipur so that we can move forward and reach out to different communities,” he said. He also suggested that forums like the NEIPF apart from taking up critical issues of the indigenous people should also study, research and document the indigenous knowledge and practices that have so much to offer to the world. “This wealth of knowledge should be passed on to the younger generation and shared with the rest of the world,” he said.

Earlier, the Chief Minister also released a book, “Indigenous 2023” during the occasion. Delegates from other North Eastern states like were also present.

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.