CM aspires for GH ‘theme markets’ outside state

SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has expressed the desire to have “theme markets” outside the state showcasing and selling exotic products of Garo Hills with the message that they are organic and residue free.
Sangma interacted with West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Pravin Bakshi and officials of Agriculture and Horticulture departments of all the districts of Garo Hills at Tura Circuit House on Friday to discuss the empowerment of farmers so as to pave the way for the project.
During the interaction, the Chief Minister spoke of formulating an investment plan with a clear strategy to enlist farmers as entrepreneurs.
He shared his ideas with the officers on strategies to improve productivity and exhorted them to pay attention to economies of scale. He discussed at length the need to have exclusive markets for the products of Garo Hills.
Theme villages for organic and residue free agricultural and horticultural products of Garo Hills and their savvy branding and marketing was also discussed in the meeting.
In doing all this, the Chief Minister observed, that attention needs to be given to preserving the bio-diversity and showcasing the strength of Meghalaya “which is a gene bank for citrus, herbs and agar”. He shared his ideas of theme villages for certain crops or citrus varieties to cultivate it as a tourist attraction.
In the meeting it was decided that there shall be enumeration of farmers who grow different fruits or are engaged in fibre extraction to have a ready workable plan for specific intervention with them along with preparation of viable business models.
Convergence and inter-(Contd on P-10)
CM aspires for…
(Contd from P-3) departmental coordination was stressed upon to maximize advantages. He also directed the officials to prepare illustrious documents to showcase the rich biodiversity and gene bank of Garo Hills, the indigenous flora and agro varieties, exotic plants and horticulture varieties which are unique to the area so that they are well advertised and propagated.
The Chief Minister was optimistic about the railways opening up windows of opportunities for the farmers of the region as they were now having access to outside markets through the rail head at Mendipathar.