Byrnihat, Aug 31: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday announced Phase 2 of the Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme dubbed as ‘PROGRESS’- Prosperity of Grassroot families through Livestock Intervention at a financial outlay of Rs. 25 Crore.
I am elated to announce Phase 2 of the Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme ‘PROGRESS’- Prosperity of Grassroot families through Livestock Intervention at a financial outlay of ₹25 Crore.@PRupala @Dept_of_AHD pic.twitter.com/SGt8hVqiZ4
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) August 31, 2022
He made the announcement while rolling out Phase 1 of the ambitious flagship programme ‘Rural Backyard Piggery Support scheme’ at Byrnihat on wednesday, a scheme to support the poorest of the poor rural households in Meghalaya through provision of 4 high yielding breed of piglets to each beneficiary benefiting 6000 farmers.
PROGRESS will benefit 10,000 farmers with the aim to double the farmers income. These grassroot intervention will improve economic conditions of 16,000 farming households in Meghalaya.@PRupala @Dept_of_AHD pic.twitter.com/AZ6D87EY75
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) August 31, 2022
He informed that the State through “PROGRESS” scheme envisions to tap opportunities by ensuring that the farmers earn sustainable livelihood through different livestock farming activities. It will benefit 10,000 farmers with the aim to double the farmers income. These grassroot interventions together will improve economic conditions of 16,000 farming households in Meghalaya, he added.
He informed that Meghalaya acquires 18,000 MT of pork from different State and there is a huge shortfall in supply and demand and through the piggery scheme the State envisions to address the shortage of pork supply.
He said the Govt through different welfare schemes is successfully providing income generation opportunities and economic prosperity of the farmers, and “PROGRESS” has been conceptualised to ensure prosperity of grassroot families through livestock intervention which includes piggery, poultry, goatry, etc.
Under Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme – phase 1, Govt has earmarked Rs. 15.18 crore under which 4 high yielding breed of piglets are provided to 6000 families.
Meghalaya Piggery Mission
To make the State self sufficient in pork, Government is implementing one of the largest piggery development programme the ‘Meghalaya Piggery Mission’.
Under this mission zero interest loan is provided for setting up of fattening and pig breeding. So far, 250 piggery cooperative societies have availed loan amounting to Rs. 43.67 crore.
To further exploit the potential of piggery sector, the Government has launched “Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme” funded by the Central Government under National Livestock Mission and also by State Government.
The scheme was launched on 10th August, 2022, in Samanda block in East Garo Hills. The scheme received a good response and appreciation from farmers.
Under this scheme 4 piglets, 3 female and 1 male piglets, are distributed to farmers to promote pig breeding to provide regular income to farmer. This livestock package is worth of Rs. 25,000 per beneficiary. This scheme is envisaged to benefit 6000 poor and marginal farmers and also increase pork production in the State.
