Meghalaya to increase by almost 100 per cent on Agriculture

Shillong, Jun 4 (UNI) Meghalaya government has decided to increase the fund allocation to agriculture and its allied sectors from Rs 58.10 crore in 2006-07 to Rs 99.23 crore in 2007-08.

Addressing a press conference here today, State Planning Board Chairman Salseng C Marak said the increase was made to improve the agricultural productivity in the state and provide substantial assistance to farmers.

Stating that Meghalaya is observing the 2007-08 as the year of farmers, he said the Agriculture department had decided to conduct 70 workshops at various levels in all the seven districts in order to identify the specific needs and problems of farmers.

He said the workshop would enable the department to tailor schemes and address their needs.

These workshops would be limited only to major traditional crops of the state, Besides, 98 competition would be conducted among interested farmers in different categories at the district level for which prizes and awards in cash or in kind would be given.

On irrigation, the government had doubled the fund allocation to the tune of Rs 20 crore from last year's 10 crore.

He said though the Centre was not in favour of more subsidy, the state government still continued providing subsidies on various sectors for the improvement of farmers community in the state.

Mr A H Scott Lyngdoh, Deputy chairman, Planning Board, and Co-chairman H Nongrum were also present in the press conference.

UNI