TURA, Aug 9: Black pepper programme under Spice Mission 2022-2023 was on Tuesday launched by the state government in South West Garo Hills.
According to a statement, the programme was attended by South West Garo Hills Additional Deputy Commissioner AVD Shira as the chief guest, farming fraternity, locals, and other officials.
Shira, while launching the programme at Multi Facility Centre, Ampati, appealed to the beneficiaries to make use of the programmes and schemes initiated by the government.
Stating that doing so will address economic issues, Shira asserted how there was dearth of such schemes for the people in the past.
Black pepper saplings of high-yielding variety from Kerala were distributed among the beneficiaries by the Office of the District Horticulture Officer, Ampati.
It may be mentioned that a total of 84,800 black pepper saplings will be distributed to 212 beneficiaries of 19 identified villages in the district.
Apprising the gathering of the objectives of the mission and encouraging the farmers to cultivate black pepper extensively on mission mode, Joint Director of Agriculture, West Garo Hills, SS Kharsati, in her keynote address, informed that the climate of Garo Hills is suitable for cultivation of black pepper.
“This mission will increase employment opportunities for farmers as black pepper fetches high price in the market, which will improve economic conditions of not only their families but also the district and the state as a whole, Kharsati said, suggesting the farmers to seek help with regard to scientific methods of cultivation from horticultural and agricultural offices in the district.
Expressing his gratitude to the farmers, District Agriculture Officer JS Momin urged them to continue with their hard work and contribution towards the economic growth of the state and region.
