Seventeen food processing units were inaugurated in Garo Hills today, with 100 more to be launched in the coming months.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today inaugurated the processing units at a belated Farmers’ Day celebration in Resubelpara, North Garo Hills. The state government has declared December 4 as Farmers’ Day.
Also present on the occasion was cabinet minister Marcuise Marak, Deputy Speaker and local MLA Timothy Shira and numerous others.
Sangma said that the food processing units would enable the local agri-horti products to get proper labelling and enhance their market value.
As part of the programme, cheques under various government schemes amounting to Rs 2.5 crore were distributed to beneficiaries.
In his speech, the CM said that 80 per cent of Meghalaya’s population is engaged in agriculture to bring food security to the state. The government is providing them with incentives and support through different schemes to help them succeed in their endeavours.
“The idea is to upscale the state’s economy from its present Rs 45 thousand crores to a 10 billion dollar economy by bringing together the government’s initiatives and support of every stakeholder,” he said.
