AMPATI: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma spearheaded the social mobilisation campaign on Horticulture Mission and also distributed agar, coconut and drumstick (moringa) saplings to the partners from Betasing and Zikzak C&RD blocks at Ampati and Zikzak in South West Garo Hills on Friday, according to an official communique.
The social mobilization and sapling distribution programme was also attended by Salmanpara MLA & Government Chief Whip W.D. Sangma, Mahendraganj MLA & Chairperson Meghalaya Resources & Employment Generation Council Dikkanchi D. Shira, Deputy Commissioner C.V.D. Diengdoh, Superintendent of Police Bobby W. Momin, Joint Director of Agriculture, Garo Hills, B. N. War, district officials and officials of Agriculture and Horticulture departments among others.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Chief Minister said it was necessary to have such social mobilization in order to create awareness and generate support from the masses so that the mission will be successful and the farmers can reap full benefits from the programme. He also said that officials of the programme should have such mobilization and sensitization to the farmers before going ahead with the distribution of saplings in their respective districts and blocks.
Highlighting the values and numerous uses of agar and coconut plants, the Chief Minister also said that the programme was aimed at fulfilling the shared objective of creating livelihood opportunities through plantation of high value crops like agar, coconut, bamboo along with black pepper and other plants which would not only give remunerative returns to the farmers that will benefit their future generations but also take care of the adverse effects of environmental degradation. He urged the farmers to take up the plantation of these crops in large numbers because only then would the government be able to tie up with investors to open up factories to create value chain of their products.
Regarding the menace of elephants causing destruction to crops and plantations in certain areas of the district, the Chief Minister announced that the government was coming up with a scheme for distribution of citrus plantation which the farmers can plant as a natural fencing to protect their plantations. He also informed about the scheme for plantation of fruit bearing trees, among others, adding that sanction has been given for planting material component to the farmers. He called upon the gathering to propagate the message to the people to promote large scale plantation of aforementioned plants so the state can be known for its greenery and abundance.
While the Agar and Coconut saplings were distributed through Agriculture-Horticulture schemes under Horticulture Mission, the distribution of drumstick saplings was part of the Chief Minister’s own initiative to promote plantation of high-value nutritive crops.
Government Chief Whip W.D. Sangma, Meghalaya Resources & Employment Generation Council Chairperson Dikkanchi D. Sangma, Deputy Commissioner C.V.D. Diengdoh, District Horticulture Officer, Ampati N. Ch. Sangma and Asstt.Director, Horticulture (Marketing), Purnima K. Sangma were among others who also spoke on the occasion.