AMPATI: Minister for Sports & Youth Affairs, etc. Zenith Sangma has exhorted the people, particularly farmers to take up plantation of varied high-value trees to generate additional income and secure the future of their children for generations.
He was speaking as the chief guest after distributing agar, bamboo, coconut and arecanut saplings at the Social Mobilization programme under Horticulture Mission organized by the department of Horticulture, South West Garo Hills at Chigitchakgre playground, Rangsakona on Friday. Chief Executive Member, GHADC, Boston Marak and Deputy Commissioner, Cyril V.D. Diengdoh were among others present on the occasion.
In a state of 30 lakh population only 60,000 of people are in government service, it is the responsibility of the government along with these government servants to take care of the majority of the population and that is why it has formulated a number of programmes for creating sustainable livelihood opportunities under various missions, Horticulture being one of them, the Minister said.
Referring to the number of people who approach their elected representatives for government jobs, Zenith Sangma explained the illegal hurdles in favouring a candidate, adding that with the transparent system of recruitment in place there is no scope for manipulation in the selection exams conducted by the District Selection Committees.
Instead he urged upon the people of the area that they should go for multiple plantations that would generate a lot of income so that they become their own masters rather than becoming public servants.
“However, whatever plantation you take up do it with full commitment so that you and your future generations will reap the benefits in the long run”, he said, adding that they should make full use of this opportunity when the saplings are being given to them for free “because such opportunities will not come all the time”.
Also speaking on the occasion, CEM, GHADC, Boston Marak and Deputy Commissioner, Cyril Diengdoh both highlighted the huge potentialities of the region in terms of soil and climatic conditions. They objective of the programme is such that the farmers would be able to have multiple livelihood options. The department officials were also advised to aim for 100 percent survival of the saplings by giving the proper technical support to the farmers.