Shillong, August 14: The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad K Sangma, today released the first installment of Rs 2,500 as the first tranche of FY 2023-24 to more than 93,000 beneficiaries, totalling to Rs 23.25 crore, under the FOCUS+ Scheme, an extended model of the state’s flagship FOCUS initiative. This milestone marks a significant step in empowering rural households and strengthening Meghalaya’s agricultural value chain.
FOCUS+ was launched in July 2022 as an expansion of the Farmers’ Collectivisation for Upscaling Production and Marketing Systems (FOCUS) initiative. FOCUS+ has supported over 1.5 lakh farmers.
Under the scheme, ₹75.3 crore have been disbursed to boost agri-economic activities till date. Supporting rural households to take up diverse activities that improve agricultural productivity and strengthen rural livelihoods.
In his address, the Hon’ble Chief Minister emphasized the scheme’s role in transforming rural Meghalaya, he said, “Today is a remarkable day for us all. Over 10,000 people from about 52 C&RD blocks across various regions have joined us online, connected through technology. I often stress our goal to build a $10 billion economy by 2028. Infrastructure like roads, administrative buildings, or sports facilities alone cannot drive holistic development. To realize this vision, every citizen, village, block, and district must progress together.”
Recounting his visit to Iewduh market, established over a century ago, he noted that no previous government was able to directly support its street vendors, shopkeepers, and hawkers. He explained that the newly launched Chief Minister Urban Livelihood Grant (CM ULG) scheme will now provide direct benefit transfers and cash assistance to uplift small businesses and livelihoods.
Addressing farmers’ needs, he said, “We recognized that our farmers needed additional financial support to address smaller but critical challenges they face daily. This realization led us to launch the FOCUS+ program.”
He announced that beneficiaries who received the first installment for the 2023–24 tranche will soon receive their remaining installments in the near future. He urged farmers to use these funds productively and register on the MeghalayaOne portal (https://meghalayaone.gov.in/) which is a unified gateway platform for all schemes and citizen services.
Testimonials from beneficiaries and members of Farmers Producers Group of different blocks across the State, underscored the tangible benefits of the scheme.
Mr. Batskhem Nongrum, a beneficiary from Mawkynrew Block and a member of Dohlang Producer Group, expressed gratitude to the State government for the opportunities and incentives provided through the FOCUS scheme. He hoped that various initiatives would continue through FOCUS and FOCUS+.
Mr. Khrawkupar Kharbani, a member of Tynronglem Producer Group in Nongstoin, shared his joy at the opportunity to engage with the scheme and highlighted the financial assistance received through FOCUS and FOCUS+.
He noted that, the scheme enabled him to purchase seeds, supporting his business and family’s livelihood. As a farmer, he also mentioned the challenges faced during the monsoon and winter seasons when the soil becomes very dry, emphasizing the need for water harvesting.
With an annual investment of nearly Rs 500 crore, FOCUS and FOCUS+ are set to channel Rs 5,000 crore to Meghalaya’s farmers over the next decade, fostering self-reliance and economic growth. Beneficiaries receive a FOCUS+ card for identification, and funds are released in installments, with today’s disbursement marking the first step in this ambitious rollout.
The launch event featured a video showcasing the journey from FOCUS to FOCUS+, illustrating the initiative’s growth and impact.
About the FOCUS+ Scheme .The FOCUS+ Scheme, launched in July 2022, is an expansion of the FOCUS initiative, aimed at empowering every household in Meghalaya with Rs 5,000 in financial aid to support agricultural and allied activities. By fostering collectivization and value chain development, the scheme aligns with Meghalaya’s vision to become one of India’s top 10 states within a decade.
