The state government’s flagship FOCUS and FOCUS+ schemes are giving Rs 500 crore to 4.5 lakh farming households in the state every year.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said this at an event to celebrate the twin programmes in Nongstoiñ today.
While FOCUS provides financial aid of Rs 5,000 each to farmer producer groups, FOCUS+ gives an additional Rs 5,000 to individuals. Taken together, the government touts the two as providing Rs 10,000 to “every rural household”.
“This money will revolve amongst our farmers, producers groups in the state and they can decide on the best ways to use the funds,” the Chief Minister said.
During the event, producer group beneficiaries of FOCUS were given cheques, while beneficiaries of FOCUS+ were given ‘Focus Cards’.
West Khasi Hills has 1,957 producer groups. Each was sanctioned Rs 5,000 per household, though only Rs 1,000 is to be paid as a first installment, with the remaining Rs 4,000 to come later.
He also informed that, under different mission mode programmes for farmers, the government has invested more than Rs 700 crore to support farmers and leverage farming activities.
The CM also handed over community investment funds of Rs 1.14 crore to support women self-help groups for 44 village organisations. The financial assistance under Yess Meghalaya to youth organisations and piglets and chicks under the ‘Progress’ scheme, were also distributed.
