Shillong: Over 400 attended an awareness programme on Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) organised by the Indian Council of (ICAR) North-Eastern Hills (NEH) Region at ICAR complex at Umiam, Ri-Bhoi district, on Saturday.
During the event the farmers also witnessed the launch of the new scheme by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conferencing.
Modi stressed that farmers in the country should work with the sense of convergence, co-operation and competition and emphasised that with their hard work, India is now one of the highest milk producing countries. He further said this scheme will have maximum implementation in the local levels.
Samarendra Hazarika, director, ICAR NEH, highlighted that the aim of this scheme is to “enhance productivity, promote crop diversification, improve irrigation and storage”. Hazarika said out of 100 districts all over India, West Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya has been included in this scheme and added that it is a convergence of 36 schemes from 11 ministries which will benefit 1.7 crore farmers directly.
“This scheme will focus on fruits, fisheries, beekeeping, animal husbandry and agro-forestry and not just crop agriculture,” he said and emphasised that the scheme will result in higher productivity, value addition in agriculture and allied sector, local livelihood creation, increase in domestic production and achieving self-reliance.
Isynei Hinge, member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council from Umroi Constituency, urged the farmers to take benefit from the scheme and stressed that in Meghalaya some districts are doing better in agriculture than the others. “Such schemes, concentrating on the districts, will help develop agricultural activities in the whole of Meghalaya,” he said. He asked the farmers to work in consultation with ICAR scientists, which, in turn will enhance productivity and make agriculture sustainable.
A farmers–scientists interaction session was also organised, during which the scientists answered to queries regarding various pressing agricultural issues.
He is based in Meghalaya and reports on local issues including se...
Read MoreHe is based in Meghalaya and reports on local issues including security, politics, and social developments, providing detailed coverage of events in the Northeast region, especially Meghalaya. His work reflects ground-level realities and concerns of the state's diverse communities.
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