AMPATI, Aug 11: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday said that over Rs 1,000 crore has been disbursed to farming communities in the state through different welfare schemes, including FOCUS programme, in the last four years.
Informing that FOCUS or Farmers Collectivization For Upscaling Production and Marketing System is the biggest welfare programme for the benefit of 4.5 lakh farmers, he said that the state government has realised the importance of the programme and has decided to provide additional direct transfer of Rs 5,000 to every farming household in the state through the FOCUS+ programme.
He said that through the FOCUS programme close to 18,000 producer groups have been formed across the state and more such groups are being formed.
He added that 2.5 lakh farmer families have reaped the benefits of the scheme.
Addressing a programme at Betasing in South West Garo Hills, he said the success of the FOCUS programme and positive feedback from beneficiaries has prompted the Government to launched FOCUS+ to further provide additional Rs 5,000 to farmers directly into their account.
“The assistance of Rs 5,000 that is being provided is not a loan but is being provided as seed money for initiating farming and allied activities for income generation. Through programmes like Northeast Food Show that is being organised annually in Shillong, the state government has been able to promote and showcase different products of the farming communities and those of the entrepreneurs,” Sangma said.
Cheques amounting to Rs 22.95 lakh were handed over to 40 producer groups during the programme.
