CM distributes funds among Farmers, Producer Groups and Youth in Kharkutta

AZIR KHOBOR, KHARKUTTA, MEGHALAYA – SEPTEMBER 22, 2022: In line with the Government’s aggressive rural welfare push, CM Conrad K Sangma today distributed funds for the benefit of Farmers, Producer Groups and Youth in Kharkutta, North Garo Hills.

The Honorable CM, disbursed funds amounting to ₹. 12.25 Lakhs was transferred under ‘FOCUS+’ Farmer’s Welfare Programme impacting 1225 producer households.

The ‘FOCUS+’ initiative has been designed to provide benefit to all producer households across Meghalaya. It provides opportunities to farming families to take up additional activities and contribute towards agriculture value chain development. Under this scheme, a financial aid of ₹. 5,000 per household is transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account.

Moreover, under the Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme, ‘PROGRESS’, 2000 piglets (3 females and 1 male each) were distributed to 500 farmers covering all 3 blocks of North Garo Hills District. The ‘PROGRESS’ scheme aims at ensuring sustainable livelihood of farmers through different livestock farming activities. This scheme is envisaged to benefit 10,000 poor and marginal farmers as well as increasing pork production in the state.

In addition, funds totalling to ₹. 4.8 Lakhs were distributed to 11 Youth Groups under the ‘YESS’ Meghalaya Youth Empowerment Programme. YESS is a scheme launched to nurture the youth by empowering youth organisations working towards social welfare and sports.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Conrad K Sangma said “Welfare of farmers and the rural population has always been our government’s topmost priority. This is because farmers of Meghalaya deserve to reap the benefits of economic development. In the past four and a half years, our government has championed and funded several rural initiatives that have not only provided direct financial support to farmers but have also supported in creating several employment opportunities in the villages. This has helped usher in a new era of progress and prosperity in rural Meghalaya. But we understand that we cannot be complacent as we require to achieve much more, and hence we shall persist with our relentless efforts in this direction.”