Shillong, Dec 22: Taking the first step into making an AtmaNirbhar Meghalaya in pork production, the country’s largest Piggery Mission was officially rolled out in the state on Tuesday by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma in Shillong.
India’s largest #PiggeryMission is officially rolled out. The 1st batch of loans of 15.10 Cr sanctioned to 85 Cooperative Societies. Our 1st step in making #AtmaNirbhar #Meghalaya in pork production & improving the incomes of our #Farmers@narendramodi @nstomar @KailashBaytu pic.twitter.com/uhErq1lMmN
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) December 22, 2020
The mission aims to improve the incomes of the state’s farmers and the first batch of loans amounting to Rs. 15.10 Crore was sanctioned to 85 Cooperative Societies.
Addressing the gathering through video conferencing, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that a lot of revenue goes outside the state for purchasing pigs and to plug this revenue loss there is a need to encourage individuals, co-operatives societies and the community to come forward and avail the scheme of the Meghalaya Piggery Mission which would help in enhancing the economic condition of the people.
The repayment of the loan is over an 8 year period to ensure profitability for all beneficiaries. Over 25,000 farmers are expected to benefit through the Mission.
While congratulating the efforts of all stakeholders in making the Meghalaya Piggery Mission a reality, the chief minister revealed that this project is very important and the government had been working on it for close to one and a half years.
Calling it a historic moment for the cooperative sector, Meghalaya’s Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong expressed hope that the financial assistance distributed today will serve as working capital for the beneficiaries.
“For the first time in the history of the members of the corporate societies in the state of Meghalaya, cheques meant as working capital are being provided to all of you,” said Tynsong.
All loans under the Piggery Mission will be interest free (0% interest loans) and routed through the Meghalaya Co-operative Apex Bank (MCAB)
“The beneficiaries who avail the loan need not worry about the interest component but the government has given you the working capital and within eight years please pay back the working capital,” urged the deputy chief minister while clarifying further about the components of the loan.
Further, stating that the pandemic has taught people new experience, Prestone Tynsong reminded that, “During 10-11 months we experienced a situation where people from the rural areas were scared of coming to urban and people from urban areas wanted to go to rural areas. This pandemic has given us enough experiences where ultimately our livelihood is in the rural area.”
He also encouraged people to improve delivery systems up to the grassroots level.
Later, the Deputy Chief Minister handed over the cheques to the beneficiaries from all 11 districts of the state.
