SHILLONG: In an endeavour to reach out to the communities with supply of food items and ensure that farmers’ produce does not go wasted in this time of crisis, the “1917iTEAMS” has been working in tandem with Deputy Commissioners of different districts of the state to ensure that vegetables and fruits are made available to the public.
The “1917iTEAMS” is an initiative of the state government that procures farmers’ produces and makes it available for consumers in different parts of the state.
“1917iTEAMS” has been functional for the last two years in the state, of which, on Sunday, they received the highest number of calls (717) on its toll free number 1917. The calls were with regards to procurement of commodities and purchase by vendors.
Farm produces from Laitjem and Mawkriah from East Khasi Hills were procured and distributed across different localities of Shillong under the supervision of Rangbah Shnongs. Produces from Hajongopara under Betasing Block from South West Garo Hills were, on Sunday, distributed in localities of Tura.
A total of 1,000 litres of NaRi milk were also shipped to Tura from Shillong on Sunday, and the NaRi network of Tura has started home delivery of the milk.
“1917iTEAMS” have been activated across the state and is being rapidly up scaled to aid the government in this situation. The existing in-house system that connects farmers to the market has aided the government to quickly press the system for emergency duty,” Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said .
The “1917iTEAMS” has the mandate to provide statewide access for the farmers to the markets, while also enabling them to network with experts, evacuate produce, connect directly with the markets and obtain the necessary agricultural information and expertise.
The chief minister said that all possible measures are being taken to procure the produces and the “1917iTEAMS” will continuously engage with its listed farmers and further step up its procurement and supply chain in cooperation with the administration as well as agri and horti departments.
