On September 10, 2020, The state government of Meghalaya launched India’s Biggest Piggery Project with an outlay of Rs 209 Crores. It is being launched under the aegis of Meghalaya Livestock Enterprises Advancement Society (MLEADS) and funded by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC).
The Project was launched by Union Minister of State (MoS) for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Kailash Choudhary in the presence of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong at the NCDC Headquarters in New Delhi.
Objective:
The main objective of the Piggery Mission is to reduce the annual import of Pork worth Rs 150 Crore and make Meghalaya self-sufficient (“Aatma Nirbhar”) in Pork production over the next 3 years.
Key Points:
i.The Mission would provide a regular source of income to members of 300 Primary Agriculture Cooperative Credit Societies (PACCS).
ii.It aims to transform the piggery sector through Quality Enhancement, Skill Development, Value Addition & Input Cost Optimisation.
iii.Through the “Piggery Mission” farmers in the state will be provided Interest Free Loan. The State Government will pay the interest, to encourage farmers to avail the loan.
iv.The programme will be implemented with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to ensure that people in villages will get benefited from it.
Highlights:
i.“Restart Meghalaya Mission” – It was launched on August 15, 2020. It comprises interventions to support farmers, Entrepreneurs by enabling them to build growth-promoting basic infrastructure and services.
ii.With the aim of catapulting Meghalaya into top ten Indian states in terms of Per Capita Income by 2030, The Government of Meghalaya has launched several initiatives like The Lakadong Mission, Jackfruit Mission, Mushroom Mission, Milk Mission and Aquaculture Mission to systematically increase production and value addition.
Recent Related News:
i.On 8th August 2020, Conrad Kongkal Sangma, Chief Minister of Meghalaya informed the cabinet’s approval for the passage of the “Policy on Reservation of seats for Women in Village Employment Councils(VECs)”, the policy of reserving 50% seats for women in the village level community institutions.
ii.On August 18, 2020 Ram Nath Kovind, President of India appointed Satya Pal Malik as the Governor of Meghalaya.
About Meghalaya:
Governor – Satya Pal Malik
Capital – Shillong
