Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh inspected ongoing projects around East Khasi Hills today connected to various aspects of farming, tourism and connectivity.
The pair visited the Tissue Culture Lab at the Bio-Resources Development Centre (BRDC) and the Kyrdemkhla Net house, both of which are crucial centres for agricultural development in the district. Upon his arrival at the Wellness & Food Testing Site close to the BRDC farm, the CM interacted with tourism stakeholders and took cognizance of the requests for the construction of various infrastructures to help boost tourism. Additionally, he inspected the progress of the Laitkor-Pomlakrai-Laitlyngkot road project, which will improve connectivity in the region once complete.
The BRDC’s Seed Secure Meghalaya project aims to accelerate the production of high-quality planting material by using low-cost apical-rooted cuttings as potato seed production starter material. The team at the tissue culture laboratory were able to produce more than 1 lakh tissue culture plants per year, exceeding expectations.
“This will allow Meghalaya to produce high-quality seed tubers that can be sold throughout the year to neighboring states and propel Meghalaya into becoming self-sustainable for potato seed tubers production,” a press release stated today.
While surveying the progress of the project at BRDC, Sangma said, “During my visit to the ongoing projects under the Bio-Resources Development Centre, I was impressed by the rapid pace of strategy-driven progress being made by the teams involved pushing Meghalaya to be self-reliant agriculturally. It is inspiring to see the commitment of the local communities in supporting these efforts and working towards a better future for the state.”
He also highlighted the urgent need to come up with a systematic plan to help farmers benefit from this project apart from pitching the project to PRIME hubs for entrepreneurial intervention.
With reference to the requests of the tourism stakeholders Sangma not only assured speedy action to be undertaken but also suggested innovative ideas for employment generation for locals such as the implementation of electric vehicles for ferrying tourists and designated food trucks.
Meanwhile, the Laitkor-Pomlakrai-Laitlyngkot road upgradation and improvement project is one of the key initiatives in the government’s infrastructure development plan. With a total project value of Rs 27.09 crore and an estimated completion date of December 2023 for the 11.52km road, the project is “progressing rapidly” and is expected to significantly improve connectivity and transportation by joining highways that connect Meghalaya with Mizoram and Assam, and which connect Guwahati and Shillong.
“This road will be an important catalyst for socio-economic growth in the region ultimately improving farmers’ access to Shillong’s market areas and help decongest the city’s roads,” the press release added.
