Resubelpara, August 26: In yet another Social Mobilization programme on Horticulture Mission at Resubelpara on Saturday, Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma distributed saplings and exhorted the people, particularly the farmers to take up mission-mode plantation of high value crops not only for income generation but also for protection of their environment and to create livelihood opportunities for their future generations.
The Social Mobilization programme at Resubelpara, organized by Horticulture department in collaboration with DRDA, North Garo Hills, was also attended by former Chief Minister and State Planning Board Chairman Salseng C. Marak, Parliamentary Secretaries Brigady Marak, Cherak W. Momin and Marthon J. Sangma, district officials, nokmas and farmers, among others.
Highlighting the different components under Horticulture Mission, including Agar & Bamboo plantations and Mission Organic, the Chief Minister said that substantial areas in the State were being covered under the Mission. He said it was further being taken up more aggressively in convergence with MGNREGS under Mission Green where in trainings have been given to farmers to have an in house solution for plant nutrition and plant protection. While formulating this mission the government was looking at what kind of plantations would bring them more returns, create livelihood opportunities for future generations and open up business opportunities based on their agro products, he added.
The Chief Minister also said that although sanction of funds had been stopped for material component under MGNREGS, the State government since last year has released huge amount of money as material component for creation of durable assets in the villages including plantation of high-value crops like agar, bamboo, black pepper, coconuts, etc. Regarding restrictions on cutting and selling of agar due to its endangered status, he said that the State government in order to legalize agar plantation has come up with a policy whereby farmers who have started agar plantation would have to register themselves with the department and make a declaration as to how many number of sapling had been planted by them. He also informed that the government would identify dedicated industrial area for processing of agar products which would in turn create opportunities for young potential entrepreneurs.
Stressing on the importance of road connectivity so that farmers can have easy access to market their products, the Chief Minister said that the government was focusing on creating last mile connectivity through Megha-LAMP project and informed that 6 km stretch of road connecting Dekachang to Anogre sanctioned under Special Plan Fund, while tender has been floated for another 6 km road from Rompara to Daram.
Besides, agar, bamboo, black pepper, coconut and titachap sapling, the Chief Minister also gave away all-season drumsticks saplings, which according to him is the best source of micro-nutrients.State Planning Board Chairman, Salseng C. Marak, Parliamentary Secretaries, Brigady Marak and Marthon J. Sangma, ADC & PD, DRDA, Resubelpara, P.K. Boro and District Horticulture Officer, Susannah Sangma, were among others who also spoke on the occasion.
