Shillong 11 August : Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K.Sangma on Thursday announced that more than Rs 1,000 crore has been distributed to the farmers in the state, through various welfare schemes, including the flagship state scheme called ‘FOCUS Focus’, in the past four years. In a speech at a program, he said that FOCUS is the largest welfare program that benefits of 4.5 thousand farmers the state government recognized the significance of the program, and decided to offer an additional direct transfers of each amounted to Rs 5,000 as a family benefits to each farming family in the state under the FOCUS Plus programme.
He stated that under the FOCUS program, nearly 18,000 producers groups have been established across the state and many more groups are being formed.
He said that 2.5 lakh farmers have benefited from the benefits of the program.
The Chief Minister stated that the communities of farmers in the state are extremely positive about the program which led the government to launch the FOCUS Plus program on Thursday.
He also stated that the Rs 5,000 aid that is offered is not a form of loan, and the financial aid is offered as seed money for the start of farming and related activities to generate income.
He further stated that through events like Northeast Food Show that is held annually in Shillong the government of the state has been able show off the different products of the farmers and the products of entrepreneurs.
Through the various initiatives of the government, entrepreneurs and farmers are connected to the markets, both nationally and internationally the Chief Minister said.
To increase agri-economic activity by collecting of Producer Groups to farm and non-farm products FOCUS was first introduced by the Meghalaya government in March of last year.according to official, the program has helped 2.5 lakh farmers in the first year.
Under the FOCUS Plus scheme, households will be provided with FOCUS plus cards as a proof of identity and a money transfer of Rs 5,000 as a family benefit.
This adds in addition to the Rs 5,000 limit in the account of the producer group under the FOCUS scheme.
Political pundits, however stated that, months before of the elections for the assembly the government headed by Sangma’s National People’s Party undertook various welfare schemes to attract people , including farmers.
.
