Tura, April 21: The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Directorate of Horticulture, Government of Meghalaya, organised an Input Distribution Programme for farmers and community institutions at SMELC, Tura, with Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma attending as Chief Guest.
The programme focused on the convergence of key agricultural and horticultural schemes to enhance productivity, promote sustainable practices, and strengthen farmer livelihoods.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment to improving farmers’ income through targeted interventions, value addition, and sustainable agricultural practices.
He stated that agriculture continues to be the backbone of the State’s economy, with over 70 percent of households engaged in farming and allied activities. “More than 70 percent of our households are directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture. Therefore, every intervention we make in this sector directly impacts the lives and livelihoods of our people,” he said.
Highlighting the Government’s efforts, he said that various schemes and programmes are being implemented to support farmers and self-help groups by enabling them to upgrade skills, enhance productivity, and add value to their produce.
“Through our different initiatives, we are not only supporting farmers individually but also strengthening self-help groups so that they can upscale their activities and improve incomes,” he added.
Referring to key challenges, he noted that timely access to quality seeds has been a major concern for farmers. “One of the biggest challenges faced by our farmers has been the lack of timely availability of good quality seeds. This is why we are taking this up in a mission mode to ensure that every farmer receives the right inputs at the right time,” he said.
Speaking on the Ginger Mission, he noted that the Government has invested over ₹62 crore since 2022, benefitting more than 19,000 farmers across the State, and that the programme will be further expanded to cover over 15,000 additional farmers. He emphasised that the initiative is aimed at reviving Meghalaya’s position as a leading ginger-producing state.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the distribution of support under the Organic Manure Scheme. “Today, we are also distributing cheques for low-cost vermicomposting units. This will help farmers become self-reliant in organic manure and reduce dependency on external inputs,” he said.
Underscoring the importance of value addition, he spoke about the growing network of food processing units in the State. “Processing is key to increasing farmers’ income. Through these food processing units, we are ensuring that farmers get better value for their produce and access to larger markets,” he stated.
He further informed that a major ginger processing unit is nearing completion. “The largest ginger processing unit in the State, with a project cost of about ₹20 crore, will soon be inaugurated in Ri Bhoi. This facility will benefit nearly 10,000 ginger farmers by providing assured market linkages and better returns,” he said.
Encouraging farmers to make full use of the support being extended, he added, “I urge all our farmers to take advantage of the schemes and inputs being provided today. These initiatives are designed to support you in improving productivity, enhancing income, and ensuring long-term sustainability of your farming activities.”
During the programme, inputs were distributed under multiple schemes, including the Ginger Mission, distribution of dummy cheques to beneficiaries for the establishment of vermicomposting units under the Organic Manure Scheme, and distribution of vegetable seed kits to Anganwadi Centres under the Vegetable Development Scheme.
Earlier, M.L.K. Marak, incharge Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills, delivered the welcome address.
The Ginger Mission, launched in 2022, aims to revive Meghalaya’s position as a leading ginger-producing state. The Government has invested over ₹62 crore under the mission, benefitting more than 19,000 farmers.
In 2026–27, an additional ₹15 crore is being invested to cover over 15,000 farmers, with each beneficiary receiving 100 kg of quality ginger seed free of cost, valued at approximately ₹8,000.
The establishment of ginger processing units in the State has further supported value addition and contributed to improving farmers’ livelihoods.
During the 2025–26 season, prolonged monsoon conditions led to widespread disease incidence affecting ginger crops. In response, measures such as mandatory seed treatment, cultivation on rested land, and development of disease-free planting material within the State are being implemented.
Farmers are also being covered under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. In West Garo Hills, 9,655 ginger farmers have been enrolled, with the State bearing a substantial share of the premium to ensure accessibility.
Under the Organic Manure Scheme, farmers receive 75% financial assistance to establish vermicomposting units, with ₹25,000 provided against a unit cost of ₹33,335. In 2025–26, ₹8,50,000 has been sanctioned for 34 beneficiaries in West Garo Hills. Farmers are also provided hands-on training in vermicomposting and other composting methods.
The Vegetable Development Scheme promotes cultivation through high-yielding and improved seeds, along with support for tools, off-season production, and trellis systems.
Demonstration seed kits are being distributed to Anganwadi Centres, ICDS centres, and schools to establish nutri-gardens. Each kit includes vegetable seeds, watering cans, fencing nets, and gardening tools. In 2025–26, ₹3,50,000 has been sanctioned for 70 such seed kits.
The programme also highlighted progress in value addition through PRIME Hubs. Of the 40 sanctioned units across the State (including 20 in Garo Hills), 11 are operational, with 6 located in Garo Hills and 3 in West Garo Hills at Dalu, Tikrikilla, and Rongram.
These units process produce such as pineapple, cashew, and ginger into value-added products marketed under brands including Ge’am Gardens and Nokma through Meghalaya Collectives.
Farmer institutions such as the All Garo Hills Multipurpose Cooperative Society, with over 4,000 members, are supporting aggregation and market access. The cooperative has procured over 800 MT of produce from more than 8,000 farmers, enabling additional income through fair and remunerative pricing.
Under the CM Farm Plus programme, high-value crops such as black pepper, large cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, and avocado are being promoted with performance-linked incentives of up to ₹5,000 per farmer. Between 2021 and 2026, 5,977 hectares have been covered, benefitting 22,775 farmers with an investment of ₹52.13 crore.
Garo Hills is also being developed as a hub for high-value crops such as vanilla and cocoa. So far, 794 farmers have been supported in cocoa cultivation, covering 650 hectares, while 2,456 farmers have been supported in vanilla cultivation, covering 236 hectares.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by T. Ch. Marak, District Horticulture Officer, West Garo Hills.
