A fruits and spices exhibition was today organised by the office of the District Horticulture Officer, Khliehriat today in the office premises of the District Agriculture Officer, Khliehriat.
Director of Horticulture, Sainara Nongbet who attended the programme as the chief guest said that agricultural activities has increased in the district in the past few years and also encouraged the people to practice Integrated Farming System which includes plantation of crops, fruits as well raising of livestock and fish farming as it will add up to their income.
Speaking on the different fruits and spices cultivated in District, she said that Khasi Mandarin is a unique variety of orange produced in the District which has also obtained a Geographical Indication. She also spoke about the Mission Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD- NER) a Central Sector Scheme and she informed that the District under this Scheme will be receiving two Farmers Producers Company (FPC).
“The Scheme provides support to the complete value chain starting from inputs, seeds, certification, to the creation of facilities for collection, aggregation, processing, marketing and brand building initiative”, she added.
She also urged the farmers of the district to find out the new methods and of farming with new agriculture technologies and to work together with District Agriculture Officer and District Horticulture Officer in the District so as to gain more knowledge on various schemes and methods on how to improve and increase the agricultural productivity.
Dr. Sankey Shangpung, Chairman, Jaiñtia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC) in his speech said that agriculture has become one of the main source of livelihood for the people of the district. He also praised the farmers of the District who has today produced varieties of fruits and spices that are sold in local markets and he urged the farmers to keep working hard and to increase the agricultural production as it will provide employment and boost their income.
During the exhibition, government departments of the district and local entrepreneurs displayed the indigenous and commercial fruits and spices, vegetables, smoked fish, livestock products and flowers.
