Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma saw for himself the success stories of the cooperative societies and self-help groups (SHGs) on a trip to Jatah and Syntung villages in the Mawkynrew area of East Khasi Hills today.
During his visit to Jatah, he spoke to the beneficiaries of the Jatah Nonglyer Integrated Village Cooperative Society (IVCS) and members of different SHGs. The members shared their experiences of interventions that have enabled them to start income-generating activities.
While interacting with the CM, they sought his help in the establishment of a processing unit to add value to their products. Syntung, for example, is famous for its strawberries, the cultivation of which is a relatively recent phenomenon.
Interacting with local residents and community leaders, the Chief Minister spoke at length about the government’s commitment to inclusive development and acknowledged the involvement of dorbars, SHGs, IVCSs and other stakeholders.
Praising the efforts of the Jatah IVCS, he said that integrated models are examples of how rural economies can thrive through collective efforts in tourism, agriculture and entrepreneurship. “Our goal is not only to create infrastructure but also to build institutions that can sustain livelihoods for generations,” Sangma added.
At Syntung, the villagers accorded him a warm welcome with a very lively song. He was then taken on a tour of Wahrashi waterfall. The scenic beauty of the crystal-clear water provided a perfect setting, where the Chief Minister decided to jam with the performers. Enthusiastic about the band’s unique combination of guitars, violins, drums and mandolins, he announced Rs 5 lakh for the purchase of new musical instruments.
Sangma also visited the strawberry plantation at Syntung and interacted with the beneficiaries. A total of 115 beneficiaries are involved in strawberry cultivation. Statewide, strawberries are grown on 132 hectares with nearly 10 tonnes produced annually, which accounts for roughly 4.26 percent of India’s total output.
At Syntung, the Chief Minister interacted with the villagers and beneficiaries of different schemes. He also informed the gathering about CM Assure, a programme that responds to market price fluctuations that undermine the financial security of farmers. The scheme aims to provide fair remuneration to farmers until the market price for a specific commodity stabilises or the allocated quota is met.
Later, Sangma inspected the Syntung health sub-centre and expressed his appreciation for the work done by health workers in remote areas. He also informed that the government is committed to upscaling health infrastructure and providing accommodation facilities for health department professionals.
