Union Minister Radha Mohan Singh urges for more organic farming in Shillong

A Correspondent

Shillong, July 29: Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Radha Mohan Singh visited Lawsohtun organic farm in Shillong today. The four hectare farm land which belongs to Lawsohtun Farmers Association is being maintained by 20 households.

The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare interacted with the farmers at the site and appreciated the work of the farmers for practicing organic farming.

Singh also encouraged them to expand their practice of organic farming to more lands. He asked the State government officials to extend all possible assistance to farmers in this regard.

The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare also assured full support from the Central government towards promoting organic farming in the state.

The Union Minister also reviewed the activities of the Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and allied sectors with the officials of the departments at Raj Bhawan yesterday evening.

Singh reviewed in details the implementation of all the welfare centric schemes of the government under his ministry, in Meghalaya. He instructed all the officials of the department to ensure that the schemes which are meant for the welfare of the farmers are delivered to the last point and within specified time frame. This will enable the government to achieve the goal of doubling the farmers’ income by 2022.

The Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare was categorical when he exhorted all the officials to submit utilisation certificate of funds to the centre on time so that there is no delay in the flow of funds from the Centre.

He also asked the officials to invest more resources towards practicing and promoting organic farming in the state. In response to his query on the efforts of the State government in this, the officials of the Govt of Meghalaya informed the minister that the state has developed organic farming in 40,000 hectares of land, covering all the districts of Meghalaya and that this practice will complete three years on March 2019. This will enable the state to get the necessary certification for the products of these lands as organic products.