By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 6: Agriculture Minister Timothy D Shira has urged farmers and young entrepreneurs to embrace modern technology and value addition in agriculture to transform Meghalaya’s rural economy under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative.
Speaking at the inaugural programme of Meghalaya Unbox ODOP, organised by the Department of Food Processing, Shira said the government aims to boost productivity and profitability in farming by promoting crop specialisation suited to each district’s climate and soil.
“All the 12 districts of Meghalaya have different climatic and soil conditions. Without scientific assessment, random cultivation cannot yield results. Experts have recommended that each district grow crops best suited to its soil and climate—this is the concept of one district, one crop,” he said.
He lamented that despite the state’s unique produce—such as pineapples, bananas and citrus fruits—farmers have long suffered due to a lack of processing facilities and poor market access. “Farmers produce many things, but due to the absence of processing units, they do not get fair prices. The condition of the farmers is very pathetic,” he said.
Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to transform rural India through initiatives like ODOP, Shira said the programme, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), seeks to ensure balanced socio-economic growth across regions.
He informed that 34 Prime Hubs have already been established in Meghalaya, serving as processing and entrepreneurship centres where farmers’ produce is transformed into value-added products. “Earlier, farmers sold raw materials for Rs 40 per kg. Now, through processing, they can earn Rs 400–500 per kg. This shows how processing has changed their fortunes,” Shira noted.
The minister said over 2,000 individuals have been trained in product-specific practices, including tissue culture, blast freezing, and drone monitoring. “Technology for us is not about replacing human wisdom—it is about employing human potential and farmers’ knowledge for scientific innovation,” he asserted.
Encouraging youth participation, Shira appealed to young entrepreneurs not to depend solely on government jobs but to venture into agri-processing and enterprise. “The government is offering financial assistance, subsidies, and even crop insurance support. There are opportunities everywhere if one is willing to take them,” he said.
He also urged farmers to adopt modern techniques and attend government-organised training programmes to enhance their skills. “Traditional knowledge alone is not enough. We must learn, adapt and modernise if we want agriculture to be sustainable and prosperous,” Shira added.
Concluding his address, the minister lauded the Food Processing Department for organising the ODOP celebration, calling it a key platform to showcase Meghalaya’s unique agricultural identity and connect local produce with national and international markets.
