Sangma urge farmers to become entrepreneurs

SHILLONG, JAN 22 Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma felt that the farmers should become entrepreneurs and undertakes sustainable livelihood programmes and focus on sustainable livestock based on their interest. He also informed that the dairy sector needs to identify 5000 farmers for rearing milch cattle which will provide 15 litres of milk per day. This will further provide avenues for setting up feed mills of latest technology and large units for milk processing, he added.

Sangma said this during the inauguration of the workshop on “Livestock Entrepreneurship” on Wednesday at the Sanmer Secondary School, Upper Shillong organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary.

Home minister Roshan Warjri, Urban affairs minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, Sports & Youth Affairs minister Zenith Sangma, AH & Veterinary minister Debora Marak, parliamentary secretary Kennedy C Khyriem, local legislator RV Lyngdoh and  other dignitaries besides residents of the area were also present.

Sangma informed the gathering that the government is focusing to ensure 3 million population with sustainable employment in the state by creating sustainable programmes and policies through the government of India which will have proper monitoring system and make sure that these programmes reach the people. He further added that 80 % of the people of the state who depend on agriculture should be taken care of since majority of the people belong to this group and the economic condition of the state cannot be uplifted without their contribution.

AH & Veterinary minister Deborah Marak encouraged the participants to take up the rearing of livestock as a profession since this activity is a profitable enterprise and helps to increase the socio economic condition of the people. She also informed the public that financial assistance can be availed from the concerned department.

Stating that there is huge gap between demand and supply of meat consumed in the state,. Marak insisted that livestock rearing should be increased with the adoption of new technologies available and thereby increasing the per capita income and uplift the economy of the state. She further lauded the efforts of the dairy farmers of Sanmer, Upper Shillong for being able to contribute 70 percent of the milk supplied by the AH & Veterinary department.

During the technical session, the participants were enlightened about the topics “Entrepreneurial Skills (Saving) and “Concept of Enterprise & Entrepreneurs.”- By Our Reporter