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Shillong, November 9, 2022: Fulfilling the long pending demand of the people of Rambrai in remote West Khasi Hills Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday inaugurated the Rambrai Community and Rural Development Block in presence of MLA Kimfa Sidney Marbaniang and MDC Bajop Pyngrope.

The Rambrai C&RD block is carved out from the Nongstoin C&RD block of West Khasi Hills. It will cover an area of 584.628 square km. It will comprise 109 villages with a population of 36148.

Rambrai is about 20 kms away from the District Headquarter of West Khasi Hills. The major communities in the area are Khasi and Garo.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the creation of the new block will ensure better governance at the grassroot level. He also said that through this block developmental activities will be upscaled and services of the government will be delivered in an efficient manner.

“C&RD blocks are the most important administrative units when it comes to schemes and programmes. The blocks should be accessible to the people across the State. People of Rambrai had to face difficulties, as they had to travel to far off places for basic services of the government. The inauguration of the block will ensure that the services are brought closer to the people”.

He also informed that the government is coming up with a revised norm to facilitate applications for different certificates to be availed from the block offices. “People can apply for various certificates at the block level but applications will be processed at the sub division level,” he added.

Stating that the Rambrai area has been neglected for long, the Chief Minister said that through various interventions, the government is ensuring that the people reap the benefits of development in the State.

He said that the work for Nongstoin – Rambrai – Kyrshai road is underway and will soon be completed. “Due to poor road connectivity in the area, the people had to face a lot of hardship. We are ensuring that this important road link is completed,” he added.

The road is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 231 cr.

He also told the people that the Rambrai PHC will also be upgraded to CHC and the foundation for the upgradation will be laid at the earliest. He told the gathering that a number of LP Schools under Rambrai have been either repaired or renovated recently and few will be constructed.
He also said that the Rambrai C&RD block will be fully functional from the temporary office, while the new building is being constructed.

During his visit to Rambrai, the Chief Minister handed over financial assistance through Meghalaya’s Biggest Farmers’ Welfare Program Focus and Focus Plus and distributed piglets and Kuroiler birds under Rural Backyard Piggery and Poultry Scheme “Progress” and financial aid to youth organisations under Yess Meghalaya and to Community Investment Funds to women led SHGs.

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.