Genuine heroes who move societies toward progress are neither dramatic nor glamorous. The ever- toiling farmers or army jawans prepared to sacrifice their lives for the nation are not in the public domain while the loud and flashy people dominate media space. Fake narratives mislead the broader society so much that it starts worshipping the false gods. I have not much idea about the sociology of heroism, but I know for sure that Padma Shri Ms Trinity Saloo and Mr Nanandro Marak are our state's genuine heroes. Their steadfast commitment to progress, despite their humble backgrounds and limited means, makes them what they are - different from the rest! Some farmers I interacted with have felt that such a recognition restores their professional pride and personal self-esteem. While Trinity Saioo is known for her work in Mission Lakadong, Nanandro Marak is the man for Black Pepper in Garo Hills. The state department of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare created an ecosystem that has let such unpretentious people emerge and be discovered by the country. My compliments to the Department. Evidently, the central government too has modified its process to unearth such people from the ground who indisputably deserve national recognition. Two consecutive Padma Shris and both farmers-who is leading us to progress?
High demand for animal products within the state and outside is creating new opportunities for businesses and the need for a trained workforce in Fisheries, Poultry, Goatery, Sheep, Dairy, and Piggery sectors. To cater to the growing needs of the livestock tending farmers, as well as build a strong student community in the region, the […]
The global market for Hemp-based products is about Rs. 75 lakh crores. Pharmaceutical companies are ready to procure anything up to 20,000 M.T. per month from our state. A well-informed and properly regulated policy for cultivation and production of hemp in Meghalaya can help boost the livelihoods of our farmers and the economy of the […]
The key to our state’s progress lies in expanding the area under the second crop to optimise the productivity of the land and the farmers by making irrigation water, the most critical of resources, available to our farmers in winter through mission mode interventions. To read more: https://bit.ly/3Ck6HE9
Buckwheat, a crop similar to wheat and used for baking bread, cakes etc., but without the hazards of gluten is now being grown in Meghalaya’s Umtong Village under Mawkynrew Block. Speaking with The Shillong Times, Chairman of Farmer’s Commission KN Kumar said that buckwheat is being planted in six acres of farmer’s field and Meghalaya […]
There is an ever-growing high demand for animal products within Meghalaya. A well-managed livestock system will be able to sustain these demands. Instead, of importing animal products from other states, the demands can be met locally and the surplus can be exported. Local entrepreneurs must pay close attention as there is huge potential for animal […]
The Government of India (GoI) announced an Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) in May 2020 to invest Rs 1 lakh crore over the next decade to build specific infrastructure connected to the agriculture sector. AIF is a top-up scheme combined with other state and central government schemes. Therefore, any grant or subsidy available under any present […]
With varying altitudes and diverse agroclimatic conditions, Meghalaya is conducive to the growth of several medicinal plants. The Meghalaya Medicinal Plants Board estimates that about 834 plant species of Meghalaya are medicinal – of which eight plants are endemic only to Meghalaya and another seventeen are threatened species. To read more visit: https://bit.ly/3od803v
Farmer interest in bio products is remarkably high, but the ability of the State to meet the demand for both bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides is as good as negligible. The ever-increasing consumer demand for residue-free agricultural products is driving organic agriculture in our country, stimulating the scope, market, and use of bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides. The demand […]
Mobilizing labour is a challenge during the peak agricultural season in Meghalaya, so labour shortages during the critical phases of cropping season and the consequent higher wage burden create both managerial and financial stress to the farmers. The declining availability of manual labour is an ongoing national phenomenon, but the situation is far more acute […]
40% of practicing farmers want to quit farming in India. Meghalaya’s current food grain production can meet only 30% of our consumption requirement, while the rest is met either through imports from Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nādu, or the PDS. How long can we depend upon other states for our own food is a question […]
Buckwheat is a good source of carbohydrates, protein and has no gluten at all. There are many value addition opportunities in buckwheat such as Buckwheat noodles, buckwheat bread, bakery items, buckwheat honey, etc to name a few. The Meghalaya Farmers’ Commission has taken up a pilot cultivation of buckwheat in 6 acres based on successful […]
