A REPORTER
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday interacted with farmers' producer groups at Mendipathar in North Garo Hills.
He was accompanied by government Chip Whip Marcuise Marak and Kharkutta MLA Rupert Momin during the programme.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister spoke on various interventions being taken by the Government to promote the farm and agriculture-based activities. He said that the government has accorded thrust to create an environment to promote organic products from the region.
He said that through Chief Minister's support for producer groups, the government will provide financial assistance as a 'grant' for upscaling of business and entrepreneurial activities.
He told the gathering that the Ministry of Food Processing, Government of India has sanctioned a state of the art 'Mega Food Park' at Mendipathar to promote farming and Agri based value addition through food processing.
He informed that the mega food park will facilitate the value addition of products from Garo Hills.
"There is a market and a demand for products made in Meghalaya. Value addition, packaging & market linkage will open wide international markets for our products," he said.
He also asserted that the government will provide packing support, and market linkages to open avenues for our farmers and entrepreneurs of the State.
He informed that in this financial year, as many as 25,000 producers groups will be given financial assistance under the CM Support for producers group, through which Rs 5,000 to each individual in a group of 10 members as a capital grant to upscale their enterprise or farming activities.
He also took the opportunity to understand the problems and issues of the farmers, SHGs and entrepreneurs from the area, so that government will be able to initiate measures to improve their activities.
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