Shillong, Aug 7: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday launched the CM FARM+ initiative which has been designed to enhance the cultivation of high-value, long gestation crops by leveraging Meghalaya’s unique climatic advantages.
The farmer-friendly initiative is aimed at providing the farming community with quality planting materials, farm inputs, and financial assistance to expand cultivation areas and boost productivity.
Stating that 70 per cent of Meghalaya’s population relies on agriculture, the chief minister stressed on the need to support agriculture and farmers adding that the government’s core objective has always been to enhance farmers’ income and provide them with ample opportunities such as boosting production, securing better prices for their products and value addition to their produce.
“Over the past six years, we have developed numerous programs for farmers, self help groups (SHGs), youth and entrepreneurs aligning with our vision,” said Sangma.
He also stated that in the last six years, over 1.5 lakh households have benefited from mission mode programs while processing units also have been established to ensure that farmers’ produce is value added, packaged and transported to various parts of the country, enabling them to secure better prices.
Sangma also added that the government aims to cultivate 10000 hectares of land with an estimated expenditure of Rs. 300 crores on seed distribution covering crops like black pepper, vanilla, cinnamon, cashew, coffee and cocoa.
Expressing her delight at the launch, state Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, said the initiative will focus on plantations and will benefit the farmers greatly from the time they sow the seeds till they are taken to the market.
She also stated that Umdohkha in Ri Bhoi district is now a seed center, where seeds are being nurtured locally and farmer-producer groups are multiplying these saplings which have become lucrative. Ri Bhoi is the food basket of the state and CM FARM+ will ensure that farmers are being given necessary training, she added.
Nongpoh MLA, Mayralborn Syiem, stated that the CM FARM+ initiative marks a significant step in supporting the farming community, building on the government’s ongoing efforts to drive progress across key sectors including agriculture. He also said that the government remains committed to aiding farmers, by introducing interventions to address their evolving needs and foster a thriving agricultural landscape.
Local farmers also received 10000 seedlings of Large Cardamom and Black Pepper during the program under the Spice Development Scheme.
