In line with the Meghalaya government’s aggressive rural welfare push, CM Conrad Sangma on September 21, 2022, distributed funds for the benefit of farmers, producer groups and the youth in Kharkutta, North Garo Hills.

CM Sangma disbursed funds amounting to Rs 12.25 lakhs under the ‘FOCUS+’ Farmer’s Welfare Programme affecting 1225 producer households.

The FOCUS+ initiative is designed to provide benefits to all produced households across Meghalaya.

It provides opportunities for farming families to take up additional activities and contribute toward agriculture value chain development.

Under this scheme, financial aid of Rs 5,000 per household has been directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account.

Under the Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme, PROGRESS, 2000 piglets (3 females and 1 male each) were distributed to 500 farmers covering all 3 blocks of North Garo Hills District.

The ‘PROGRESS’ scheme aims at ensuring the sustainable livelihood of farmers through different livestock farming activities.

The government envisaged this scheme to benefit 10,000 poor and marginal farmers, as well as increase pork production in the state.

In addition, funds totalling to Rs 4.8 Lakhs were distributed to 11 youth groups under the ‘YESS’ Meghalaya Youth Empowerment Programme.

YESS is a scheme launched to nurture the youth by empowering youth organisations working towards social welfare and sports.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Conrad K Sangma said, “Welfare of farmers and the rural population has always been our government's topmost priority."

"This is because farmers of Meghalaya deserve to reap the benefits of economic development. In the past four and a half years, our government has championed and funded several rural initiatives that have not only provided direct financial support to farmers but have also supported the creation of several employment opportunities in the villages," he added.

"This has helped usher in a new era of progress and prosperity in rural Meghalaya. But we cannot be complacent as we need to achieve much more, and hence we shall persist with our relentless efforts in this direction," the Meghalaya CM further said.