Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma introduced a comprehensive agricultural support package for farmers in Tura, highlighting the significant reliance of over 70% of households in the state on agriculture. The initiative, unveiled during an input distribution program by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and the Directorate of Horticulture at SMELC, aims to combine various schemes to boost productivity, sustainability, and farmer incomes.
Sangma, addressing the audience, emphasized the government’s focus on targeted interventions, value addition, and skill development to enhance farm output and earnings. He underlined the importance of not only assisting individual farmers but also empowering self-help groups to expand their operations. The Chief Minister also acknowledged the challenge of ensuring timely access to quality seeds and assured that the government is actively working to address this issue to provide farmers with the necessary inputs promptly.
Highlighting the Ginger Mission, Sangma mentioned an investment of over Rs 62 crore since 2022, benefiting more than 19,000 farmers, with plans for further expansion to reach an additional 15,000 beneficiaries. The initiative aims to revive Meghalaya’s status as a prominent ginger-producing state. Additionally, Sangma advocated for organic farming, announcing support for low-cost vermicomposting units under the Organic Manure Scheme to promote self-reliance among farmers in organic inputs and reduce reliance on external sources.
Emphasizing value addition, the Chief Minister pointed out the growing network of food processing units, emphasizing that processing plays a crucial role in boosting farmers’ income and facilitating access to broader markets. He highlighted the upcoming completion of a Rs 20-crore ginger processing unit in Ri Bhoi, expected to benefit close to 10,000 farmers. Sangma encouraged farmers to maximize the benefits of these schemes to enhance productivity, increase incomes, and ensure long-term sustainability.
