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CM launches state-wide Payment for Ecosystem Services scheme to protect environment

Shillong, June 13, 2022: Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, accompanied by North Tura MLA and the Chief Adviser to the Chief Minister, Thomas A Sangma, launched the state-wide Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Scheme and distributed cheques under FOCUS program for the producer groups at SMELC Building, Tura, on June 13. .

Launching the scheme, the chief minister highlighted the objectives of PES and informed that the scheme is being launched to help the community in protecting the natural environment and to provide assistance to the farmers.

Stating that the response of the people towards PES is positive in the state, the chief minister informed that in the last four and half years, the NPP led MDA Govt. had created schemes for the up-liftmen of the farmers in the state. He also urged the community leaders to organize volunteers to take care of the natural environment and informed that the Govt. will be providing financial assistance of Rs. 15,000 per hectare under PES for preserving and conserving the environment for which the Govt. had earmarked Rs. 50 crores per year.

The Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister, Thomas A Sangma, while highlighting the activities of the Village Natural Resources Management, informed that after Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya is the first to implement the PES scheme in the entire North-East and lauded the chief minister for his initiatives towards successful launching of the scheme.

The Additional Project Director of CLLMP, Gunanka DB, while highlighting the aims and objectives of the PES scheme, stressed on the need to preserve the forest cover and urged the stake-holders to organize the volunteers for the successful implementation of the scheme.

The Nokma of Baladinggre A.king land, Klason T Sangma, who is also a PES partner, while sharing his experience, urged the people to join hands in saving the water-catchment areas and the water bodies in their respective localities.

During the program, the chief minister also distributed cheques to the different producer groups under the FOCUS program.

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.