In May 2019, the State Government made a significant policy change in the agricultural sector by reclassifying ‘Wild Black Pepper’ (Piper longum) as ‘Long Pepper’ and re-designating it, along with Tezpatta (Bay Leaf – Laurus nobilis), as the mandated crops of the Agriculture Department. This move eliminated the ‘minor forest produce’ label, allowing farmers to […]
Meghalaya is blessed with an extraordinary abundance of diverse fruits. Most of these are unique to the state of Meghalaya ranging from Peaches, Plums, Pears, Sohmon, Sohiong, Strawberries, etc. Unfortunately, these are perishable even before it hits the market and this causes huge food loss. But if an ecosystem facilitating wine making industry were to […]
With the introduction of the Breed Improvement Programme, 2000 doses of Ongole FSS (Frozen Semen Straws) have been sent to the 57 Stockman Centres across the state to begin the crossing process. Meghalaya also has an estimated 4 lakh native cows that are low milk and meat yielders. The project aims to cross-breed the native […]
Since 2014 the State’s Agriculture Department has steadfastly upheld the policy to stop subsidising chemical fertilisers and pesticides because of the dangers posed by the chemicals to animal and human health. This decision has reduced the State’s chemical fertiliser consumption by 56.69% without impacting our food security. It has also gradually led to increased demand […]
Zero Energy Cool Chambers (ZECC) is a low-cost technology that has been developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. It was further customized by Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat. ZECC is an environmentally sustainable model as it can be built using locally available construction materials. Studies indicate that potatoes can be stored for 90 […]
China produces 75% of global mushrooms. Indian annual production of five lakh Metric Tonnes (MT) is just 2% of the world's production (estimated to touch 2.1 crore MT by 2026). Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, and Kerala are the top three Mushroom producing states in our country. India's Mushroom production enlarged by 29 times in four years preceding 2018. Meghalaya's mushroom production shot up more than ten times in two and a half years, from 27 MT in 2018 to 287 MT in 2021. Conceded, as a state, we don't count for much as of now, De but we shall be - in just a few years. Mark my words!
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
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 […]
