Mawkyrwat: Deputy Commissioner of South West Khasi Hills District, Isawanda Laloo on Friday said the growth of the state depends on the development of rural areas as 80% of the people in the state depend on agriculture and farming for livelihood.
“80% of the people in Meghalaya depend on agriculture and rearing of animals like piggery, poultry, cattle and rearing of fishes for their livelihood. Therefore, it is very important for the rural people to know the schemes offered by the government through various departments to improve the livelihood of the people because development of rural areas means overall development of the state,” Laloo said during the Special Interactive Programme organised by the office of the District Public Relation Officer (DPRO) at Mawthawpdah village on the theme “Rural Livelihood Improvement”.
Besides giving information about different schemes, the programme aims to encourage the people in these areas especially women to visit offices and avail the schemes. “We will be successful in bringing development only if we have a close relationship with all the people,” Laloo said while lauding the headmen for working together with the government.
Through MGNREGS, the government aims to promote livelihood activities like piggery, poultry and cattle, Laloo said, urging farmers to avail the trainings offered by the government to boost their business.
Admitting that farmers face problems due to change of climate, decrease in fertility of land, less rainfall, insects and other problems, she called upon the farmers to avail the schemes from the Agriculture Department and especially the training on how to use new technique and technology to increase production.
Laloo also urged the people to protect and preserve the environment which we all depend for living. “We need to have a sense of responsibility and not cut down trees, burn forest, throw garbage especially plastics and to protect the water bodies,” Laloo said, adding that the forest might be theirs, but the oxygen that the trees produce belongs to all living things.
The Block Development Officer of Mawkyrwat R. Kharbihkhiew, District Agricultural Officer B. Shylla, District Horticulture Officer G. Nongrang, Superintendent of Fisheries D. Lyngdoh and others also spoke during the event.
