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Tura | March 29: Like most villages in rural India, Naronggre village, under Dalu C&RD block, was dependent on firewood for daily cooking. This remote village with little over 50 households, had no electricity as well.

Thanks to the intervention and pilot initiative supported by Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and implemented by Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE), this village has seen solar electrification as well as introduction of India’s first solar powered electrical pressure cookers.

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma visited this village today, and officially inaugurated the project, while announcing that the government is identifying remote villages across the state for implementation of the project, which include solar electrification, including introduction of solar powered electrical pressure cookers (EPC).

“Women had to walk 2-3 kilometres each day to collect firewood. This practice not only accelerates deforestation but also exposes families to hazardous indoor air pollution. Beyond firewood, many households rely on kerosene. This project has brought in smiles in the village, and the intervention will ensure zero use of firewood for cooking,” the chief minister said.

The chief minister informed that GHE has been working in the state, particularly in remote Garo Hills for the past six years, and have covered over 20,000 beneficiaries, who are connected through solar lights, solar powered computer labs across various schools, including the introduction of clean cooking solutions.

Last year, GHE also started a solar light manufacturing unit in Tura, which was inaugurated by the chief minister.

“We are supporting GHE for the implementation of the project, as they have a proven track record of serving the society. They have mobilised funds from CSR, which is doubled with equal matching funds from the state for execution of the project”, he added.

“The goal is to transition local communities from traditional cooking methods towards more sustainable options, benefiting both indoor and outdoor environments. However, convincing communities to switch from their centuries-old cooking traditions to modern methods is not always easy, but through concerted efforts, GHE has been able to convince communities, wherever they have gone,” the chief minister informed.

The inaugural function was attended by Salmanpara MLA Ian Botham Sangma and Dalu MLA Brenning Sangma.

Over 26 households, out of 50, have been covered under the project, and the Chief Minister has assured that all the households in the village will be covered under the project.

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.