Shillong, July 11: A meeting with different farmers’ and traders’ groups and associations was convened by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare under the Chairmanship of the Minister-in-charge of Agriculture, Dr (Mrs) M. Ampareen Lyngdoh on the 10th of July 2023.
The meeting was called by the Minister to address a number of issues and concerns raised by farmers from time to time, and to highlight on some of the initiatives taken by the department in the interest of farmers. The meeting was also attended by senior officials of the Department.
A few of the issues raised by the groups related to timely distribution of agricultural seeds and inputs, fertilizer availability, expanding benefits under PM-KISSAN and PM-FBY, amongst others, for which detailed discussion was held, and information was shared with the farmers on the steps taken by the department.
The Minister stressed on the need for proper dissemination of information to the farmers on the different schemes and programmes of the government that will be beneficial to them, and also directed that such meetings at the district level may also be convened so that there is prompt redressal of all issues being faced by farmers.
With regards to the State Agriculture Policy the Minister informed that the Govt. is cognizance of the need to have a comprehensive Agriculture Policy that is consistent with Socio-economic and ecological condition of the State. The skeletal framework is in place and shall be placed in public domain in due course for suggestions and comments.
In addressing the issue of reduction in weight of agriculture produce being practiced across the State, the Minister informed that several complaints and grievances on this matter have been brought to her notice and she informed that such practices which adversely impact the farmers will not be tolerated.
The Committees both at the State and District level are being constituted for monitoring the markets to ensure that any illegal practices negatively affecting the farmers will be checked. These committees will also look into any other matter concerning the welfare of farmers and traders and make suitable recommendations to the department.
She informed that a committee for Iewduh Market, the biggest traditional market in the State, is also in the process of preparing a DPR for infrastructure improvement in the market, with the support of the concerned departments.
In reply to queries with respect to provision of incentives to educate youth and provide training in the agriculture sector, it was informed that the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare through the office of the Principal Basic Agricultural Centre implements a scheme “Training of rural educated youth for self employment in farm-based activities’ (treysefa)”.
TREYSEFA is an on-campus training programme conducted by the office of the Principal, Basic Agricultural Training Centre, Upper Shillong consisting of both class room lecture and practical hands on training, field demonstrations, field and exposure visits, economics potentiality.
Post-harvest technology, market linkages, planning, finance and investment, and overall management, for self – sustainable livelihood and entrepreneurship, etc. Similarly, through the Meghalaya State Skills Development Society a number of training partners have been onboarded for training in integrated farming and agri and allied activities.
