CM lays base for farmers’ market complex

From Our Correspondent

TURA, DEC 21: Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma on Wednesday laid the base for farmers’ market complex and Integrated Training and Social Mobilization Centre at Doldegre, near Tura in West Garo hills.

Farmers and village heads of several areas attended the programme.

Addressing the gathering, Mukul said that initiative is aimed at providing a suitable business environment to the farmers. He said that the government is taking measures to ensure rapid development in the state.

Expressing gratitude to the village heads and relatives of the Doldegre A’king land (community land) for their generous contribution for the said project, Mukul requested the people to support and cooperate to work together and recreate beautiful and livable surrounding.

“It should be a place where one can relief their stress while shopping with a place to relax including food court”, he said.

He informed that four best markets — Doldegre, Chokpot, Betasing and Mawrynkneng are underway which is being designed to meet the aspirations of the people and is expected to be one of the best beautiful farmers markets in the state.

“Doldegre is going to be the heart of all developmental activities which would allow natural expansion of Tura town, he added with the coming up of medical college, etc in the area.

Talking about organic products, he said that there is a plan to expand organic cultivation and obtain organic certification for the state, which would increase the price of the products automatically.

He also expressed concern for the problems faced by the effects of demonetization on the farmers group and requested the Deputy Commissioner and other district officials to help with their problems.

Joint Director, Agriculture Department, Garo Hills Jebeline Sangma informed that the Farmers Market Complex have been designed to felicitate marketing to farmers to sell their products and also to provide a well-equipped place with proper infrastructure and platform to promote the welfare of farming communities residing in and around the area.

He stated that the sanctioned amount for the Ground + 2 Farmers Market Complex is Rs. 12, 69, 997, 00/- which would comprise of 130 rooms including auction platform, room for cold storage and open room for holding conference and other functions as well.

The said project is also expected to address the problem of middlemen thereby ensuring better profit for the actual growers, he added.