Tura, Feb 25: Taking his mission further to connect with the people at the grassroot level and to sensitize the masses about various welfare and livelihood schemes and programs of the State government, the Chief Minister inaugurated the SHG Mela at Dalu and interacted with producer groups and farmers at the FOCUS meeting at Upper Bamonpara, Dalu.

Speaking to the gathering at Dalu, Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma said that the programme is a multi departmental programme to sensitize the people especially the farming community about the different schemes in various departments of the government. Talking about the plights of the farmers of the State he said, “The farmers of the State are so impoverished that they cannot afford money even for the basic and small farming activities like buying seeds or transporting the products to the market” and added that they also face issues relating to storage, packaging, lack of market linkage and training to add value to their products.

During his visit to Dalu, Chief Minister also inaugurated the Krimkro PRIME Hub, Slaughter Unit & Meat Processing Unit. Through the interventions of PRIME Entrepreneurship Meghalaya Programme, the State Government is supporting the aspirations of entrepreneurs by giving them the opportunity to expand their horizons.

Inaugurated the Krimkro PRIME Hub, Slaughter Unit & Meat Processing Unit at Dalu, West Garo Hills. Through the interventions of our PRIME Programme, we are supporting the aspirations of our entrepreneurs by giving them the opportunity to expand their horizons @dpradhanbjp pic.twitter.com/Fw5FFyqEtW

— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) February 25, 2022

The Govt has collaborated with social organisation Bakdil to help entrepreneurs, particularly the youth to gain knowledge, skills & expertise to start & expand their ventures.

“The government is aware of the challenges and is trying to address these issues through initiatives like FOCUS and Prime Hubs,” the Chief Minister said. He further added that through Prime Hubs the farmers, entrepreneurs, SHGs and the youth are imparted training, skill and knowledge in storing, packaging and marketing the products. “The government is contemplating on setting up at least fifty Prime Hubs across the State and these Prime Hubs also serve as Integrated Collection Centres for the farmers,” he informed.

Talking on the SHG Mela, the Chief Minister informed that in the past four years 40,000 SHGs with a membership of four lakh members have been formed. “Initiatives like the Prime Hub and FOCUS programme run on SHGs therefore the community’s participation is needed to drive and make these programs of the government successful along with the concerted effort of the officials and the NGOs,” he added.