The Chief Minister of Meghalaya launched FOCUS to empower farmers in the state

Williamnagar, Septermber 01, 2021: On the day when the NPP remembered the 74^th Birth Anniversary of the founder (L) Shri. P. A. Sangma former Speaker of the Lok Sabha and former Chief Minister of Meghalaya who had a vision of Improving farmers' welfare, his son Shri. Conrad Kongal Sangma, the present Chief Minister of Meghalaya is celebrating it through interaction and empowerment of farmers at several places in Garo Hills. 

He launched the ‘Farmer’s Collectivization for Upscaling Production and Marketing Systems (FOCUS)’ programme, the flagship initiative of the State Government, at Williamnagar. The objective of FOCUS is to upscale farming activities by empowering farmers through financial aid & market access. The government have earmarked ₹200 Cr to help farmer entrepreneurs in which each member of the Farmers' Collective or the Producer Group will get financial assistance of ₹5000.

The Chief Minister said that 70 per cent of the population in Meghalaya are farmers, therefore, giving financial assistance and market access to farmers through FOCUS and providing technical know-how and training for value addition, processing and packaging through PRIME Hub will uplift farmers as entrepreneurs and improve agriculture sector in the state. He added that “There are several problems for an individual farmer. So, we are encouraging like-minded farmers to come together as a group and avail the benefits of the scheme”.

Shri. Conrad Sangma distributed cheques to 20 Producer Groups with 400 beneficiaries amounting to ₹10.50 Lakhs at Asimgre village, West Garo Hills. In Bakhrapa, Resubelpara block, North Garo Hills District, he distributed cheques to 35 Producer Groups. A total amount of ₹27.35 Lakhs was disbursed to Producer Groups of Bajengdoba, Resubelpara & Kharkutta block through the FOCUS scheme. He also distributed cheques to members of the Producer Groups at Williamnagar (Samanda Block), East Garo Hills District.