Shillong, Aug 7: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday launched the CM FARM+ initiative what has been designed to enhance the cultivation of high-value, long gestation crops in Meghalaya by leveraging Meghalaya’s unique climatic advantages.

Its focus is to support the farming community with quality planting materials, farm inputs, and financial assistance to expand cultivation areas and boost productivity.

Speaking at the program, the Chief Minister said 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. Given that 70 percent of Meghalaya’s population relies on agriculture, it is essential to support agriculture and our farmers,” he said.

He also stated that in the last six years, over 1.5 lakh households have benefited from mission mode programs such as Turmeric Mission, Ginger Mission, Floriculture Mission, Mushroom Mission and Spice Mission. 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. He 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.
The key objectives of CM FARM+ include state capacity building for producing high-quality farm inputs and adopting the latest technology for promotion of Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) to preserve indigenous plant varieties and landraces.

Expressing her delight at the launch of the CM FARM+, State Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, said Chief Minister’s FARM+ which will focus on the plantations. This scheme 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 of Meghalaya and CM FARM+ will ensure that farmers are being given necessary training.

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.

Also Read: UDP begins preparations for Autonomous District Council elections

Watch

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Also, Follow us on-

Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub

Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020

Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub

Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub