Our Bureau
WILLIAMNAGAR/SHILLONG, Feb 24: As the PM-KISAN scheme completes 19 successful instalments, Meghalaya joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday as he released the 19th instalment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme under which more than Rs 22,000 crore was transferred to the bank accounts of 9.8 crore farmers across the country.
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) East Garo Hills (EGH) organized a live-streaming of the release in Williamnagar with a total turnout of more than 150 people.
PM Modi released the scheme in Bihar with around 1.50 lakh beneficiaries in the state also benefitting from the central programme for farmers.
Sr. Scientist and Head (i/c), Dr TTA Sangma, kicked off the programme at Williamnagar with a welcome note to the guests, line department officials and farmer participants while also throwing light into the Kisan Samman Samaroh event.
Meanwhile, Agriculture Development Officer (H.Q), MAS, Dr BG Momin, presented the keynote address about the scheme and its benefits. He mentioned that in this 19th installment release, 13,516 numbers of households would benefit from this scheme in East Garo Hills.
BDO of Samanda, TR Sangma, who was the guest of honour, highlighted various central and state schemes available in the district and urged the farmers to take benefit from the schemes.
Chief guest Vibhor Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of East Garo Hills, emphasised that the scheme aims to provide financial support for small and marginal farmers to enhance their farming activities and improve their overall standard of living. Further bio-pesticides and mushroom spawns were also distributed to the farmers during the programme.
In Eastern West Khasi Hills, the programme was webcasted at the office of Krishi Vigyan Kendra with the active participations of 55 beneficiaries and officials from Eastern West and West Khasi Hills districts.
District Agriculture Officer (DAO), Eastern West Khasi Hills, A Nongbri, who served as the chief guest of the programme, spoke about the advantages and benefits of the scheme. A representation from the office of the DAO, West Khasi Hills, was made by District Agriculture Officer H Syiemlieh. Before concluding the programme, a farmer woman shared before everyone present at the programme her experience of the benefits of the scheme and encouraged all fellow farmers to avail the benefits of the PM-KISAN scheme.