Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today said that coal mining, which was the main source of income for the people of Jaiñtia Hills, could now be replaced by an alternative sustainable source of livelihood as coal is a non-renewable resource.
“We need to create an alternative source of livelihood and parallel industries out of the natural resources that we have that is renewable, sustainable and environment friendly,” he said at a function held to extend financial support to Lakadong turmeric farmers held at the Meghalaya Agriculture & Management Extension Training Institute (MAMETI) Upper Shillong.
Sangma stated that the government has been trying to promote grass root level organizations in different sectors and direct benefit has been given to the farmers through different interventions. He informed that five crores will be distributed to 16 different Collective Marketing Centres (CMC) and two processing units out of which 20 lakhs will be given as grant for infrastructure and ten lakhs as working capital support.
He further informed that two curcumin extraction units of ten crores each will be established in the region at the earliest. “The closest extraction unit is in Bangalore and it is an absolute necessity that we have curcumin extraction unit in the State,” he said. He also urged the entrepreneurs to come forward and take the lead to run the business and be a part of the Lakadong Mission.
While the Organic Certification Centre and testing laboratories to export the Lakadong produce to different parts of the world will also be soon set up in the State, the Chief Minister announced that in February 2022 when all the CMCs will be inaugurated the Lakadong Festival will also be held to promote and celebrate the spice that is unique to the State.
He also stated that Logistic Centres at Umroi and Jengjal airports are at the final stage of funding and these Logistic Centres would also help the farmers of the State to market their products.
Earlier, in his keynote address, Commissioner & Secretary, Agriculture, Dr Vijay Kumar said that through the CMCs the farmers will be provided facilities of infrastructure, storage facilities, machinery to process the turmeric and working capital in an integrated manner
At the programme, the Chief Minister distributed cheques to Lakadong turmeric farmers which was also attended by Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh.
Among others who spoke during the occasion were K N Kumar, Chairman, Meghalaya Farmers Empowerment Commission, A Suting, Chief Operating Officer, Livelihood Improvement Finance Company of Meghalaya (LIFCOM) and local Lakadong farmers who shared their experiences.
