TURA, July 2: Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has told a large group of farmers and entrepreneurs of Garo Hills that the state-of-the-art ‘Mega Food Park’ coming up at Mendipathar will immensely benefit the farmers of Garo Hills and provide high-end value to products of the region, particularly organic food items.
The chief minister was speaking at a special event for farmers on Friday at Mendipathar in North Garo Hills.
He was accompanied by Government Chief Whip Marcuise Marak and Kharkutta MLA Rupert Momin during the programme.
He told the farmers and entrepreneurs that the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India, has sanctioned a state-of-the-art ‘Mega Food Park’ at Mendipathar to promote farming and agri-based value addition through food processing.
“This Mega Food Park will facilitate value addition of products from Garo Hills. There is a market and a demand for products made in Meghalaya. Value addition, packaging and market linkage will open wide international markets for our products,” he said.
Conrad also informed them that the government will provide support for packing and market linkages to open avenues for the farmers and entrepreneurs of Meghalaya.
Various interventions being taken by the government to promote farming and agriculture-based activities are according thrust to create an environment to promote organic products from the region, the chief minister said.
He also reminded the gathering that through the Chief Minister’s Support for Producers Group, the state government will provide financial assistance as ‘grant’ for upscaling of business and entrepreneurial activities.
Giving details of his government’s move to accord utmost importance to the farming sector, Conrad said that during this financial year, as many as 25,000 producers’ groups will be given financial assistance under the CM Support for producers group, through which Rs 5,000 to each individual in a group of 10 members will be provided as capital grant to upscale their enterprise or farming activities.
He also took the opportunity to understand the problems and issues of the farmers, SHGs and entrepreneurs from the area, so as to be able to initiate measures to improve their activities.
Visit to the Rubber Storage Unit & Utility Store
The chief minister, during his visit to Mendipathar in North Garo Hills, also paid a visit to the utility store started by missionary nun Sister Rose.
Close to twenty years ago, Sisiter Rose had founded the Mendipathar Multipurpose Cooperative Society and it has been promoting farmers and the SHG movement by putting up their produce for sale. Known among locals as a mini mall where many items can be procured, people from far-flung villages frequent the store for their requirements, ranging from stationery, clothes to food items.
During his visit to the rubber storage of Sister Rose, the chief minister also assured of promoting farmers and the SHG movement. He also urged Sister Rose to submit a detailed proposal for promoting farmers welfare in Garo Hills.
