Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma launched 'FOCUS' in Samanda Block

A CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma launched the Farmer's Collectivization for Upscaling Production and Marketing Systems (FOCUS) for Samanda block in East Garo Hills in presence of Govt Chief Whip Marcuise Marak, on Wednesday.

Launching the FOCUS programme, a flagship initiative of the State Govt to provide market access and financial assistance to farmers collective, Chief Minister said that farmers in the State, who comprise about 70 percent of the population will receive added benefits through the FOCUS programme to supplement the various welfare schemes of the Government that are in line with the State's vision for the agriculture sector.

He said that through the 'FOCUS' programme, the government envisages to upscale farming activities in the State by providing them better market access. He added that the programme supports farmers collective as "Producers Group", as financial aid is provided to them.

"There are several problems for an individual farmers. So we are encouraging like-minded farmers to come together as a group and avail the benefits of the scheme", he said, while urging farmers to form Producers Group to avail the benefit. He informed that Rs 5,000 for an individual will be provided to each farmers under the programme; however, they will have to register themselves as members of a producers' group. He added that the assistance provided to producers group is not a loan but assistance, so that the farmers can Upscaling their farming and income generating activities.

He also told that Rs 200 crore has been earmarked for the programme, which will be spent over the next few years. He also mentioned that PRIME Hub, an incubation and mentoring centre, which is coming up across the State will provide technical know-how and training for value addition, processing and packaging.

He also urged farmers groups and entrepreneurs to avail loan from different programmes of the government to set up processing units. He further said that the Govt has an ambitious entrepreneurship promotion programmes and will provide necessary support to potential entrepreneurs of the State.

Also Read: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated facilitation Centre in Mendipathar

Also Watch: