Over 100,000 hectares under Meghalaya State Organic Mission

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Feb 23: Minister in-charge Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Ampareen Lyngdoh today said the state aimed at converting over 100,000 hectares of land for organic cultivation under the Meghalaya State Organic Mission 2024-2028.

Replying in the Assembly, Ampareen said, “The Meghalaya State Organic Mission 2024-28 has been formulated and launched on February 15, 2024, with the ambitious aim of converting and sustaining 100,000 hectares of land under National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)-certified organic cultivation.”

She said six service providers have been empanelled to facilitate certification processes and implement the mission.

The minister also said that an organic society has been formed named Meghalaya’s Natural and Organic Society for Livelihood and Innovation in Agriculture (MEGNOLIA) to implement the organic and natural farming initiatives in the state.

The state government has last year introduced the Meghalaya State Organic and Natural Farming Policy 2023

Leader of opposition Ronnie V Lyngdoh while raising his supplementary question asserted the need for the government to take steps to help farmers move away from use of chemical fertilizers to organic farming as it will fetch them a good price. He also urged the state government to help farmers market their organic produce.

To this, Ampareen said that the state government had discontinued the use of chemical fertilizer but in 2022, farmers have expressed their inability to shift from inorganic farming to organic farming. “(However), we have looked at the entire map of cultivable land and we are now slowly increasing and placing it under the map of organic farming,” she added.

Former chief minister Mukul Sangma while participating in the discussion said there is need to be caution on duplication of schemes meaning areas already taken up under state plan are also taken up from funds of Government of India.

VPP leader Ardent M Basaiawmoit also suggested the need to have a data entry of farmers to ensure the state has an accurate statistic on the numbers of farmers in the state.

Union MoS visits SWGH, interacts with district officials, beneficiaries

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Jan 27: In line with the mandate from the Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad, Union Minister of State for Finance, today visited Ampati, headquarters of Meghalaya’s South West Garo Hills district to assess the progress of implementation of various government schemes.

Dr Karad was accompanied by the MP of 2-Tura constituency, Agatha K Sangma, Rangsakona MLA, Subir M. Marak, Deputy Commissioner, R.P. Marak, Superintendent of Police, Vikash Kumar during the series of interactions he had at three consecutive locations during his maiden day-long visit to the district headquarter.

At Ampati Circuit House conference hall, the Minister was briefed on the progress and achievements as well as the challenges faced in the implementation of various Central flagship schemes through a PowerPoint presentation by ADC Dr Rezina Ch Marak with the participation of the officials of concerned line departments.

Conducting a comprehensive review of central government schemes led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state government initiatives, he expressed satisfaction with the successful implementation of various schemes in the district, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to foster development in the Northeast region.

Dr Karad highlighted the potential to enhance financial inclusion, particularly in the hilly terrain, by increasing the reach of banks by establishing additional branches. He said discussions with Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma revealed the existence of bank correspondents, and efforts will be made to open more branches to serve the region effectively.

The Minister underscored the importance of improving healthcare services, focusing on increasing the accessibility of quality generic medicines and boosting Ante Natal Checkup and Institutional delivery percentages. He encouraged the registration of pregnant women for the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, providing financial incentives for institutional delivery.

Addressing the need for awareness, Dr Karad emphasized the importance of promoting government-backed schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, offering affordable accident insurance. He also acknowledged the progress of the Jal Jeevan Mission in the district while calling for increased awareness and improved implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Aawas Yojana.

The Minister acknowledged the ongoing efforts in education through Eklavya Model Residential Schools and expressed a commitment to explore the possibility of opening more such schools to provide quality education to tribal students in remote areas.

As part of the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra campaign, the Minister interacted with beneficiaries to raise awareness and ensure the saturation of government schemes across the country. The campaign aims to reach the unreached, particularly those eligible for various schemes but yet to avail of benefits.

He had a one-on-one interaction with few of the beneficiaries present and sought to know their feedback on availing the schemes as well as the problems they faced in availing them.

In concluding his visit, Dr Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad reiterated the collective responsibility to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047, as envisioned by Prime Minister Modi, emphasizing the need for financial inclusion, awareness, and sustained efforts to bring about holistic development in the Northeast region.

During the interaction, MP Agatha Sangma and MLA, Subir Marak expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Dr Karad for taking the time to visit the region and listen to the problems of the people and certain challenges while implementing schemes and assured to take up the problems and work in tandem the Centre and the State.

The Union Minister later visited Ampati Civil Hospital to engage with dedicated medical professionals and discuss crucial enhancements for the health care system.

During the visit Dr Karad took the opportunity to interact with the doctors and medical staff, acknowledging their hard work and commitment to public health. He emphasized the importance of filling vacant posts within the hospital to ensure optimal patient care. Recognizing the urgent need for surgical interventions in the region, Dr Karad encouraged the medical staff to initiate surgeries promptly when required. His insight underscores the potential benefits of robust and responsive healthcare system for the people of the region.