Tura, July 02: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday interacted with farmers producer groups at Mendipathar in North Garo Hills. He was accompanied by Govt Chief Whip. Marcuise Marak and Kharkutta MLA, Rupert Momin during the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister spoke on various interventions being taken by the Government to promote farming and agriculture-based activities. He said that the Government has accorded thrust to create an environment to promote organic products from the region.
He said that through the Chief Minister’s Support for Producers Group, the Government will provide financial assistance as ‘grant’ for upscaling of business and entrepreneurial activities.
He told the gathering that the Ministry of Food Processing, Government of India has sanctioned a state of the art ‘Mega Food Park’ at Mendipathar to promote farming and Agri based value addition through food processing.
He informed that the Mega Food Park will facilitate value addition of products from Garo Hills. “There is a market and a demand for products Made In Meghalaya. Value addition, packaging and market linkage will open wide international markets for our products”, he said.
He also told that Govt. will provide support for packing, and market linkages to open avenues for our farmers and entrepreneurs of the State.
He informed that in this FY, 25000 producers group will be given financial assistance under the CM Support for producers group, through which ₹5000 to each individual in a group of 10 members as capital grant to upscale their enterprise or farming activities.
He also took the opportunity to understand the problems and issues of the farmers, SHGs and entrepreneurs from the area, so that Govt will be able to initiate measures to improve their activities.
The Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday during his visit to Mendipathar in North Garo Hills visited the utility store started by Sr Rose. Sister Rose founded the Mendipathar Multipurpose Cooperative Society about two decades ago and has been promoting farmers and the SHG movement. She is also known for introducing rubber plantations in Garo Hills.
The Chief Minister visited her rubber storage unit at Mendipathar and discussed measures to upscale rubber plantations and value addition and the Chief Minister has assured support to promote farmers and the SHG movement and has asked Sr Rose to submit a detailed proposal for promoting farmers welfare in Garo Hills.
