By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 7: The state government on Friday suggested people to take up agriculture as an alternative to coal mining to boost income.
Suggesting the alternative, Agriculture Minister and MDA 2.0 spokesperson Ampareen Lyngdoh said the government has been able to convince the people of East Jaintia Hills and parts of West Jaintia Hills, which were predominantly mining areas, to resort to agriculture instead of mining.
“We are taking on board the climatic change approach and trying to encourage locals from these areas to return to their agricultural practice which they were engaged in for years earlier,” she said.
Spelling out the plan of action, she said, “We are now trying to encourage plantation of Khasi Mandarin in several areas so that you not only increase your green cover but you also have a fruitful business. We are also handholding many communities with active food processing activities and we are not just looking at fruits but vegetables also.”
“We want to have a big thrust on mushroom cultivation. The Lakadong Mission has gone places. We have seen the Ginger Mission doing very well there and we think the aromatic plantations would be very suitable there.”
She also added that the government is synergising small groups to convert them into self-help groups and some progressive farmers in Jaintia Hills are doing well.
It may be added here that Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma had admitted on Thursday that the illegal mining and transportation of coal would not stop until and unless people are provided with an alternative.
Talking about the way forward, the chief minister had said there are two solutions. “Either come up with a policy to legalise the coal trade or create alternative livelihood opportunities,” he had said.