Tura, April 21: The Government of Meghalaya rolled out a comprehensive agricultural support package in Tura, with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma emphasizing the State’s commitment to strengthening farmer livelihoods through convergence of multiple schemes. The programme, organized by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and the Directorate of Horticulture at SMELC, distributed inputs to farmers and community institutions while highlighting initiatives aimed at boosting productivity, promoting sustainable practices, and enhancing value addition.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister underscored that agriculture remains the backbone of Meghalaya’s economy, with more than 70 percent of households engaged in farming and allied activities. He stressed that interventions in this sector directly impact the lives of the majority of the population. Sangma pointed to challenges such as timely access to quality seeds and assured that the government is working in “mission mode” to ensure farmers receive the right inputs at the right time.
The Ginger Mission, launched in 2022, featured prominently in the programme. With an investment of over ₹62 crore benefitting 19,000 farmers so far, the mission is being expanded to cover an additional 15,000 farmers in 2026–27. Each beneficiary will receive 100 kg of quality ginger seed free of cost, valued at approximately ₹8,000. Sangma also announced that the State’s largest ginger processing unit, costing ₹20 crore, is nearing completion in Ri Bhoi and will provide market linkages for nearly 10,000 farmers.
Support under the Organic Manure Scheme was also distributed, with farmers receiving financial assistance to establish vermicomposting units. The Chief Minister noted that this initiative would help farmers become self-reliant in organic manure and reduce dependence on external inputs. Alongside, vegetable seed kits were handed out to Anganwadi Centres under the Vegetable Development Scheme to promote nutri-gardens and improve nutrition at the community level.
The programme further highlighted progress in value addition through PRIME Hubs, with 11 units already operational across the State, including six in Garo Hills. These hubs are processing crops such as pineapple, cashew, and ginger into branded products marketed through Meghalaya Collectives. Farmer cooperatives, including the All Garo Hills Multipurpose Cooperative Society, have also played a key role in aggregation and market access, procuring over 800 MT of produce from 8,000 farmers.
Under the CM Farm Plus programme, high-value crops such as black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, and avocado are being promoted with performance-linked incentives. Between 2021 and 2026, nearly 23,000 farmers have benefitted from coverage of 5,977 hectares, supported by an investment of ₹52.13 crore. Garo Hills is being developed as a hub for vanilla and cocoa cultivation, with thousands of farmers already engaged.
Encouraging farmers to take full advantage of the schemes, Sangma reiterated that these interventions are designed to improve productivity, enhance income, and ensure long-term sustainability of farming activities in Meghalaya.
