Ampati: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma spearheaded a social mobilisation campaign on Horticulture Mission and distributed agar, coconut and drumstick (moringa) saplings among villagers from Betasing and Zikzak C&RD blocks in Ampati and Zikzak in South West Garo Hills on Friday.
Sangma said it was necessary to have such programmes to create awareness on the mission and farmers can reap full benefits from the programme.
Highlighting the values and numerous uses of agar and coconut plants, the chief minister also said the programme was aimed at fulfilling the shared objective of creating livelihood opportunities through plantation of high-value crops like agar, coconut, bamboo and black pepper. He urged farmers to take up plantation of these crops in large numbers.
Regarding the menace of elephants causing destruction to crops and plantations in certain areas of the district, Sangma announced that the government was coming up with a scheme for distribution of citrus plantation which the farmers can plant as a natural fencing.
