CM Sangma launches FOCUS programme for farmers in East Garo Hills
A flagship initiative of the state government to provide market access and financial assistance to farmers' collective, the programme is in line with (L) P.A Sangma's vision for the welfare of farmers and entrepreneurs in the state, the Chief Minister said.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma launched the Farmer’s Collectivization for Upscaling Production and Marketing Systems (FOCUS) for Samanda block in East Garo Hills, on Wednesday.
A flagship initiative of the state government to provide market access and financial assistance to farmers' collective, the programme is in line with (L) P.A Sangma's vision for the welfare of farmers and entrepreneurs in the state, the Chief Minister said.
“Farmers, who comprise about 70 percent of the population of the state, have to fight many problems. So, we are encouraging like-minded farmers to come together as a group and avail the benefits of the scheme”, he said, urging farmers to form Producers Group to avail the benefit of the FOCUS programme.
Sangma siad that through the FOCUS programme, the government envisages to upscale farming activities in the state by providing them better market access and Rs 200 crore has been earmarked for the programme, which will be spent over the next few years.
Under the programme, Rs 5000 will be provided to each farmer, however, they have to register as producers' group, he said. The CM added that the financial assistance provided to the producers' group is not a loan but an aid.
He also mentioned that PRIME Hub, incubation and mentoring centres, which are coming up across the state, will provide technical know-how and training for value addition, processing and packaging.
During the programme, the CM also handed over cheques to 35 producers’ groups in the East Garo Hills.
(Edited by Shankar Kumar Turha)
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