Meghalaya government initiates welfare programme for farmers

Meghalaya government taking into consideration the economic hardship that the farming community had to face due to the Covid-19 pandemic has come out with inclusive farmers' welfare programme - FOCUS that will benefit over 4.5 lakh farmers in the State.

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday said that said that through this programme the farmers are grouped together as farmers collective - “Producers Groups” and financial assistance of Rs 5000 each to each member in the group is provided.

He said that the funds can be used as seed money for upscaling farming activities.


An estimated Rs 200 crore has been earmarked for this inclusive farmers programme. In the last three months, the Chief Minister has visited several districts and blocks in the State.

In the FOCUS programme at Chokpot, the Chief Minister distributed cheques amounting to Rs.1.2 Crore to 170 Producer Groups to upscale their farming & entrepreneurial activities.

He further said that the Government has introduced various funding options to encourage entrepreneurial activities, wherein interest-free loans are being provided to the people.

He said that welfare programmes are targeted for overall improvement in farming activities, farmers’ sustainable income, marketing linkages and ensures that Agri and Horti products of the State are promoted and marketed for optimum benefits.

He also announced that Rs100 crore plus has been sanctioned for various infrastructure development projects in Chokpot area of South Garo Hills, including Chokpot Water Supply, Guest House, new Civil Sub Division building and a road from 12 mile to Chokpot.