Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, accompanied by farmers and entrepreneurs who participated in the 2nd Meghalaya Pineapple Festival, recently visited the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The festival had been held at Dilli Haat in New Delhi.
CM Sangma’s visit highlighted his dedication to empowering farmers and entrepreneurs, the backbone of Meghalaya’s economy, with a strong commitment to preserving and promoting their interests.
The delegation, led by CM Sangma, included 19 farmers, 10 entrepreneurs, and several government officials – Planning Department IAS secretary CVD Diengdoh, Power department joint secretary I Majaw, Deputy Secretary Alexander Mukhim, Joint Secretary Anita Kharpor and SRES Joint Mission Director I Diengdoh.
State policies have positively impacted farmers and entrepreneurs at various levels through mission-mode interventions at the grassroots. CM Sangma remarked, “The Meghalaya government always works in tandem with the farmers, who are the backbone of our economy. The success of the Meghalaya Pineapple Festival, 2024, recognizes their hard work and motivates them towards new heights.”
During the visit, CM Sangma asserted on national integration, highlighting the pride of Meghalaya farmers’ presence at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. This event symbolised national unity and pride.
The farmers visited the ‘Janjatiya Darpan,’ a tribal art and culture gallery at Rashtrapati Bhavan, inaugurated by President Draupadi Murmu. They were delighted to see beadworks and necklaces from the Khasi and Garo Hills of Meghalaya on display, alongside other ethnographic objects and images from various Indian tribes.
Touring the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the farmers expressed their joy. Badashisha Lapang, a farmer, shared, “The Meghalaya Pineapple Festival opened new avenues for us, and visiting the Rashtrapati Bhavan is a dream comes true. The Chief Minister’s support has enabled our pineapples to be exported globally.”
Another farmer added, “This experience has boosted our morale. The Chief Minister’s accompaniment to the Rashtrapati Bhavan shows that our hard work is valued and acknowledged at the highest level.”
Cyril VD Diengdoh reiterated the government’s commitment to agricultural growth, stating, “The tour demonstrates our dedication to encouraging farmers to explore further opportunities for growth and expansion.”
The government’s initiatives to promote pineapples and other agricultural produce have led to successful exports worldwide. Recently, over 3.5 tonnes of pineapples were exported to the Middle East, proving the success of Mission Mode Interventions.
These interventions complement initiatives like PRIME Meghalaya, which aims to strengthen the State’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Robina J Sangma, an entrepreneur from PRIME Meghalaya, commented, “The Chief Minister’s support reassures us that the government will always back our innovations and business expansions.”
