SHILLONG:
The state government, in its quest for aggressive rural welfare push, distributed funds on December 21 across the state to 23491 beneficiaries. It is significantly the second largest Direct Benefit Transfer.
The chief minister also disbursed funds amounting to Rs 1.41 crore under ‘FOCUS+’ Farmer’s Welfare programme impacting 2,822 producer households in Batabari, Rajabala Division, West Garo Hills district.
Speaking on the occasion, Sangma said “We are happy to be conducting this funds and livestock distribution programme for the benefit of farmers, self-help groups and village organisations. Our government has been working tirelessly to uplift the status of farmers across Meghalaya. Our aim is to double their income by providing them more and more avenues of sustainable livelihoods. During the past four and a half years, we have championed several programs on a mission mode to bring about a positive turnaround.”
The ‘FOCUS+’ initiative has been designed to provide benefit to all producer households across Meghalaya. It is an extension of Meghalaya’s biggest farmers welfare program ‘FOCUS’ (Farmers Collectivization for Upscaling Production and Marketing System). The two schemes (Focus and Focus+) will provide farming households of Meghalaya a financial advantage of Rs 10,000 per household.
The FOCUS+ initiative has witnessed an overall transfer of Rs 11.75 crore to 23,491 beneficiaries on Wednesday under Farmers’ Welfare Programme.
Moreover, under the Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme, ‘PROGRESS’, 1200 piglets (3 females and 1 male each) were distributed to 300 farmer households from West Garo Hills district. Also, high yielding variety of Kuroiler poultry birds were distributed to 100 beneficiaries. The ‘PROGRESS’ scheme aims at ensuring sustainable livelihood of farmers through different livestock farming activities.