Shillong, Jan 10: In order to support farmers in distressing situations, the Meghalaya cabinet has approved a new initiative called CM Assure, which aims to stabilise market prices for non-perishable agricultural products. The programme includes a corpus fund of Rs100 crore, with an initial allocation of Rs 20 crore from the central government.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, after the cabinet meeting which had 13 agendas for the day, said that the importance of this initiative in addressing the challenges faced by farmers due to market instability. “The market price for broomsticks and areca nuts has been highly unstable,” he said. “There is a very strong need for government intervention to support farmers during such distressing situations.”
Under CM Assure, the government, through marketing boards, will procure non-perishable items from farmers at fair prices and resell them to ensure market stability. The initiative is expected to reduce the financial burden on farmers, offering them a safety net during periods of low demand or fluctuating prices.