Shillong, Nov 13: Chief minister Conrad K Sangma has urged newly recruited Meghalaya Agriculture Service (MAS)-III officers to make efforts to make a difference in the lives of farmers in the state.
“Always remember your purpose and why you are here for, to make a difference in the lives of farmers and this should be your driving force,” Sangma said while addressing the valedictory function of an induction training programme for MAS-III officers of 2025 batch at Integrated Agriculture Training Centre (IATC), Upper Shillong on Thursday.
Sangma also reminded the officers, especially the new recruits, of the government’s stakeholder-based approach and that it is not completely driven by scheme-based approach.
Agriculture Minister Timothy D Shira and Chief Secretary Dr Shakil P Ahammed were also among other dignitaries present on the occasion.
Congratulating the newly recruited officers, the chief minister also lauded the IATC for ensuring a holistic training and orientation programme for the new officers to have them better prepared for the role as agricultural officers.
While lot of departments and their officers have their actual duty in mind, but they are often not able to convert the thought process into actions, resulting in a disconnect between the thought and what actually happens at the grassroots, he said.
He underlined the need for the government departments and their officials at the grassroots to work collectively as a team to streamline the system to achieve their goals.
“Departments and organisations that can do this by continuously refining the system are ones that can successfully get things done and convert visions into implementable actions,” he said.
The Chief Minister said it was important for every new recruit to understand the macro functioning of government to grasp his/her role in the system to effectively act as the link between the government and the farmers.
Speaking on the different missions of the government especially in agriculture and allied sectors, the Chief Minister said having different missions allows to create a purpose and system to achieve a goal in a time bound manner defining the responsibility of each individual at different levels of governance.
He also urged the officers not be discouraged when confronted by challenges but to serve with passion, purpose and a goal to make a positive difference in the lives of the farmers of the state.
In his address, Agriculture Minister Timothy D Shira urged the newly recruited officers to engage with the farmers with patience, empathy and sensitivity.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture organised a three-module induction programme for the newly recruited officers of Meghalaya Agriculture Services, Grade III.
The program aimed to orient and equip the officers with the essential technical knowledge, administrative competence and managerial capabilities required to effectively implement agricultural schemes and contribute to the State’s vision for sustainable agricultural growth.
Classroom sessions, interactive discussions, field visits and exposure to National level Agricultural institutions were components of the training providing the recruits theoretical insights and practical experiences.
