The Farmers Collectivization For Upscaling Production and Marketing System (FOCUS) will now to extended to urban producers groups (PGs) in the State.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma made the announcement at a programme to celebrate the success of FOCUS at Baghmara in South Garo Hills today.
Focus and Focus + are flagship initiatives of the State government that provides financial aid and cash benefit of Rs 5000 each to farmers PGs and individuals respectively. Under both the programmes, an individual farmer in every rural household across Meghalaya will have a cash benefit of Rs 10000 each.
Sangma said that benefits of FOCUS scheme are being extended to urban PGs. As part of this initiative, PGs comprising 10 or more members with income generating activities can avail Rs. 5000 each as individual cash benefit under the umbrella of the group.
“A weavers group or pickle making group can come together as a Producer Group under FOCUS in urban areas and avail the benefit of the scheme. Even youth groups doing different income generating activities can also form such groups and avail its benefits,” the chief minister said.
He told the gathering that registration for FOCUS+ across the State will continue till November 30 and in the first week of December the funds will be transferred to the beneficiaries.
He said that during the registration, the first instalment of Rs 1000 will be disbursed and the second instalment of Rs 4000 will be disbursed in the first week of December.
Under FOCUS and FOCUS +, 4.5 lakh people across the State will benefit. The Government has earmarked Rs. 500 crore for this flagship initiative.
He said the government will continue to support the farming sector and will ensure that the youth of the State are given opportunities for sustained livelihood.
During the programme, he also distributed cheques under Focus and handed over Focus plus cards to beneficiaries. He also handed over cheques under Yess Meghalaya to youth organisations and under Progress scheme piglets and Kuroiler chicks to different beneficiaries of the district.
He also handed over cheques to village organisations of SHGs a total sum of Rs. 2.15 crore in the district under Community Investment Fund for the current financial year.
The Chief Minister who has been touring different parts of the State to promote flagship schemes of the Government also advised the beneficiaries of Focus scheme to utilise the funds received for common good of the member. He said that funds received can be used to upscale their ongoing farming activities as well as used as “revolving funds” amongst the group members.
He said that through revolving funds and intervention carried out within the group, the members can expand their enterprise and agricultural activities.
At the event, the Chief Minister also distributed cheques under “Green Meghalaya” initiative to various community organisations for their endeavour to conserve natural resources and forest. The Payment for Ecosystem Services which is an initiative to support communities for conservation, restoration and rejuvenation of forest areas and its resources branded as “Green Meghalaya” aims to encourage conservation at the grassroot level.
