Farmers asked to avail Government scheme benefits

A  Correspondent

Shillong, May 2: The co-chairman of Meghalaya State Planning Board and Raksamgre constituency MLA Benedic R Marak on Wednesday said that the people of the region depend mainly on agriculture for their living and therefore urged upon the farmers to avail various schemes and facilities provided by the Government with the objective to synchronise higher gains for the farmers.

Marak was addressing the inaugural function of Kisan Kalyan Karyashalas held at SMELC Conference Hall, Dakopgre Tura.

The programme was organised by Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture for the farmers of Dalu and Gambegre Community and Rural Development Blocks.

The objective of the workshop was to create awareness among farmers regarding the strategy to be adopted for Doubling of Farmers’ Income by 2022.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is celebrating nationwide outreach programme Kisan Kalyan Karyashala under Gram Swaraj Abhiyan today in all the blocks across the country.

Referring to the practices of one time paddy cultivation in a year by the people, the Co-Chairman State Planning Board suggested farmers to introduce two time cultivation of paddy in a year in order to boost their income generation and thereby improve the condition of living of the people in the region.

Further, Marak also advise the farmers to make judicious use of the land available and make farming a lucrative business by adopting integrated farming, scientific measures and use of modern technology with the help and assistance from the concerned department.

Delivering the keynote address, Joint Director, Department of Agriculture, West Garo Hills Tura, L Laloo highlighted on the seven-point strategy advocated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for achieving the target of Doubling of Farmers’ Income by 2022.

Laloo informed that the strategy includes special focus on irrigation with the aim of “Per Drop More Crop”, provision of quality seeds and nutrients based on soil health of each field, large investment in warehousing and cold chains to prevent post-harvest crop losses, promotion of value addition through food processing, creation of national farm market, removing distortions and e-platform across 585 stations, introduction of new crop insurance scheme to mitigate risks at affordable cost and promotion of ancillary activities like poultry, beekeeping and fisheries.

Emphasising on the need to increase sustainable farming in the area, the Joint Director encouraged the farmers to adopt integrated farming and also to use locally available seeds in the region so as to regulate organic farming and ensure better productivity.

In the technical session, representatives from the line department comprising of Veterinary, Fishery, Horticulture and Agriculture highlighted on the Central and State level schemes under Agriculture and allied Sectors including Modern Agriculture Practises and Technologies for increasing Farm Production and Farm Income with success stories.

Staff Correspondent adds: A large number of farmers from South Garo Hills district attended a day long ‘Kisan Kalyan Karyashala’ programme under Gram Swaraj Abhiyan organized by the Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) in collaboration with the department of Agriculture for the Baghmara, Rongara and Gasuapara C&RD Blocks today at Baghmara DRDA Conference Hall.

In his capacity as the chief guest, local MLA Rakkam A Sangma  commended the farmers for their dedication and hard work. He asserted that he would try his best to ensure that every farmer draws benefits from various schemes available for them.

Among others who spoke on the occasion included Deputy Commissioner, South Garo Hills district SN Marak.  During the technical session, the officers of the Veterinary, Fishery, Horticulture and Agriculture departments highlighted on various State and centrally sponsored schemes under Agriculture and the allied sectors.