Tura, April 20: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday rolled out a multi-scheme agricultural support package aimed at boosting productivity, promoting sustainable practices, and strengthening farmer livelihoods across Meghalaya.
The initiatives were announced during an input distribution programme organised by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Meghalaya and the Directorate of Horticulture at SMELC in Tura, where the chief minister attended as the chief guest.
Addressing farmers and community institutions, Sangma underscored the central role of agriculture in the state’s economy, noting that over 70 per cent of households depend on farming and allied activities. He said the government is focusing on targeted interventions, skill upgradation, and value addition to enhance farmer incomes.
Highlighting ongoing efforts, the chief minister said improving access to quality seeds in a timely manner remains a key priority, with the government adopting a “mission mode” approach to address the issue.
A major focus of the programme was the expansion of the Ginger Mission, under which the state has already invested over ₹62 crore since 2022, benefiting more than 19,000 farmers. The scheme will now be extended to cover an additional 15,000 farmers, with each beneficiary receiving 100 kg of quality ginger seeds free of cost.
Sangma also announced support under the Organic Manure Scheme, including financial assistance for setting up vermicomposting units to promote self-reliance in organic inputs. Cheques were distributed to beneficiaries during the event.
Emphasising the importance of value addition, the chief minister pointed to the growing network of food processing units in the state. He revealed that a ₹20-crore ginger processing unit in Ri Bhoi is nearing completion and is expected to benefit nearly 10,000 farmers by ensuring better market access and returns.
The programme also saw the distribution of vegetable seed kits to Anganwadi centres under the Vegetable Development Scheme, aimed at promoting nutrition gardens.
Officials said the government is integrating multiple schemes to create a more cohesive support system for farmers, including initiatives under PRIME Hubs and the CM Farm Plus programme, which promotes high-value crops such as black pepper, vanilla, and avocado.
Farmer cooperatives are also being strengthened to improve aggregation and market access. The All Garo Hills Multipurpose Cooperative Society, for instance, has procured over 800 metric tonnes of produce from more than 8,000 farmers, ensuring better price realisation.
The event highlighted ongoing efforts to build resilience in the agriculture sector, especially in the wake of challenges such as disease outbreaks in ginger crops following prolonged monsoon conditions last season.
