IFAD funds rural development project in NE

Shillong, Apr 28 (UNI) The International Fund for Agriculture and Development(IFAD) has provided Rs 109.92 crores for a rural development project, which will benefit 39,203 families of 862 villages in six districts of Meghalaya, Assam and Manipur.

The North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCRMP), being implemented by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER) in collaboration with the North Eastern Council (NEC), aims at improving livelihoods of the people in rural areas through capacity building and introduction of new technology and techniques for sustainable growth, said a government release today.

The project is focusing on small infrastructure development schemes like improvement of roads, waiting sheds, school buildings, community halls, water reservoirs and drinking water systems.

Efforts are also being made to increase the production of agriculture and horticulture crops like ginger, pineapple, banana, arecanut, passion fruit, chillies, patcholi and aloe vera. Besides, rural farmers have been encouraged to take up piggery and poultry, The authorities have formed several self-help groups and natural resources management groups to implement the project.

The districts covered under the project are West Khasi Hills and West Garo Hills in Meghalaya, Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills in Assam and Senapati and Ukhrul in Manipur.

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