Two from State get progressive farmers’ awards
SHILLONG: Meghalaya, along with eight other states received the Krishi Karman Award 2014-15 for best performing state in food grain production instituted by the Union Ministry of Agriculture under National Food Security Mission.
Adding to the honour was the fact that two farmers form Meghalaya were bestowed with the individual progressive farmers award. Willipson A. Sangma from West Garo Hills and Angela Shangoi from West Khasi Hills were the recipients of the award.
This is the second consecutive year that the State has been conferred with this award.
Last year the State had received the Krishi Karman Award for 2013-2014.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma along with the State officials of Agriculture department received the award, which carries a sum of Rs 5 crore from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Radha Mohan Singh and Union Ministers of State for Agriculture Mohanbhai Kalyanjibhai Kundariya and Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan during the inaugural function of Krishi Unnati Mela which was held at Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi from March 19 to 21.
While Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Haryana and Rajasthan received the Krishi Karman Award for food crop production, Chhattisgarh was awarded for production of pulses, Tamil Nadu for coarse cereals and West Bengal for oilseeds.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address called upon all stakeholders, including farmers, states and the union government to resolve to double farmers’ income by 2022.
He described the Krishi Unnati Mela as a platform that could rewrite India’s destiny. He said India’s future had to be built on the growth of agriculture, and the prosperity of its farmers and its villages.
The Prime Minister explained how the reduction of input costs was the first element towards raising farm incomes.
He said that the Soil Health Card scheme, and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana are important steps towards reducing input costs.
On the occasion the Prime Minister also launched “Kisan Suvidha” – a mobile application for farmers which will provide information to farmers on subjects such as weather, market prices, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and agriculture machinery.
Besides conferences and seminars, an exhibition stalls were put up by various institutions and agriculture entrepreneurs during the three day Mela.
The delegation from Meghalaya included the Director, Agriculture & Mission Director (NFSM) Dorothy Syiemiong, Deputy Director & SNO(NFSM) Sankynti Tariang, Assistant Director, Agriculture (Agro) Canning S. Shabong and ADO, Shillong Sengban W.Momin, besides the two award recipients.