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CM distributes 2000 piglets under ‘PROGRESS’ at Raksamgre in Garo Hills

Shillong, September 23, 2022: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday distributed 2000 piglets for 500 beneficiaries of “PROGRESS” – a flagship initiative of the Government under Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme.

Attending the mega event at Raksamgre organised to celebrate the success of biggest farmers welfare programme “FOCUS” and roll out of Focus + under Raksamgre Sub-Division in West Garo Hills, the Chief Minister along with other dignitaries handed over piglets to select beneficiaries, cheque to Producer Groups and FOCUS + cards.

He also distributed financial assistance to several youth organisations under the “YESS Meghalaya” programme.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that through the FOCUS programme and FOCUS + the Government envisages to reach out to every rural farming household in the State.

He informed that Government through several welfare programmes for the farming communities has been able to ensure that opportunities were given to the farmers to avail the benefits of the programmes and ensure sustained livelihood.

He told the gathering that in the last one and half year 25000 Producer Groups (PGs) were formed in the State under FOCUS programme and more than 125 cr have already been disbursed to such groups.

Clarifying on the misconception that the funds given to PGs were loan, the Chief Minister said that it is purely financial aid to leverage farming and allied activities.

Through FOCUS, cheques of ₹ 33.90 Lakhs were given to Farmer Producer Groups. Individual producers also received funds today under FOCUS+. Both schemes will give farming households the financial advantage of ₹10,000.

In the programme the women-led Self Help Groups were given Community Investment Fund. Five Village Organisations were given ₹5.80 Lakhs. Also, 21 youth groups were given cheques worth a total ₹ 9 Lakhs under the YESS programme.

            Foundation laid for Raksamgre Sub-Division

During the programme, the Chief Minister also laid foundation for the new building of Raksamgre Civil Sub-Division, which will be constructed at an estimated cost of ₹ 4 cr. He said that the creation of the new building will ensure that the civil sub-division functions properly and delivers public services.

            School buildings inaugurated

During the day-long programme, he also inaugurated two new school buildings under Raksamgre Civil Sub-Division constructed under Asian Development Bank’s Supporting Human Capital Development Projects in Meghalaya. The schools are Pedaldoba Govt Aided Secondary School and Raksamgre Higher Secondary School.

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.