Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 548/10

HORTICULTURE SECTOR BACKED WITH TECHNOLOGY WILL WORK MIRACLES

Shillong, November 15, 2010: The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Dr. Mukul M. Sangma today in the presence of Mr. A. D. Marak, Minister, Food and Supply, Mr. Francis P. R. Sangma, Parliamentary Secretary, Horticulture and Mr. Samuel M. Sangma, Parliamentary Secretary, Mining and Geology inaugurated the Horti Hub at Mineng, South Garo Hills around 25 Kilometers away from Dalu and 1 Kilometer from the nearest Land Customs Station, Gasuapara.

In his address as the chief guest, Dr. Sangma laid the emphasis on technology as a means to empower farmers in the state, adding that the horticulture sector backed with technology would work miracles for the farmers of the region. “Laying emphasis on horticulture as a means of livelihood, I took a delegation to Israel , a country using the latest technology and flourishing on horticulture”, he informed. The technology is so advanced in other countries like Israel and the Netherlands that it has changed the horticulture scenario by taking it to a higher level” and added that a pact between India and Israel in way of the Indo-Israel Chamber of Commerce was being sealed to train farmers of India with the use of new and contemporary technologies incorporated in the Agricultural and Horticultural sector. The Chief Minister further lays emphasis on the technology mission on which the Horti Hub was based. He urged the gathering to participate in the implementation process and make rural areas as attractive as urban areas so as to reverse the trend of migration which is affecting the growth of the rural areas.

Dr. Sangma later added that the Government was going to launch a scheme to empower women by allotting them seed money to start their own fish farms. He at length spoke on the importance of preserving water sources and make them sustainable by building dams and ponds and fish farms through the new scheme being launched by the Government, the Integrated Basin Development Program.

Coming back to the Horti Hub the Chief Minister informed that training would be given to entrepreneurs so that they can avail the Backend Subsidy Fund allotted by the Government to establish their own Horti Hubs and other allied enterprises. Saying that the Anthurium grown in Meghalaya was of the best grade in the entire Country Dr. Mukul informed that Rs. 100 Crore was earmarked for the development of irrigation for the region

In the Mineng Horti-hub with an area of 10 hectares, decorative plants like gerbera, leather leaf fern, dendrobium, anthurium, lilium, Bird of paradise, strawberry and seasonal vegetables are being cultivated under the ‘Technology Mission’, a scheme encouraging cultivation of high value crops enabling higher profits in a limited area of expansion.

Press Release No. 549/10

CM LAYS FOUNDATION FOR LAND CUSTOMS STATION AT GASUAPARA

Shillong, Nov 15, 2010: Meghalaya Chief Minister Dr. Mukul M Sangma laid a foundation stone for the new Land Customs Station at the commercial town of Gasuapara, in South Garo Hills close to the international border on Monday.

Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Mr. Augustine D. Marak, local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Samuel Sangma, Parliament Secretaries Mr. Francis Pondit R. Sangma and Mr. Saleng A. Sangma were among others who were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the new land customs station would go a long way in enhancing border trade between India and Bangladesh, as the two countries had not been able to exploit the full potentialities that are there between them particularly in the area of trade. In ensuring that trade and commerce benefit both the countries, the long-standing ties between these two countries could be strengthened both culturally and economically, he said recalling how the people of these countries used to have trade exchanges through a barter system.

Stressing on the need to have a systematic trade between the two countries, Dr. Sangma informed the gathering about the move to set up two border haats, one at Kalaichar and the other at Balat, at a strategic location that would be beneficial for both India and Bangladesh.

The Chief Minister also stressed the need to revive river routes for promoting trade and commerce and said that the State would be receiving 100 percent assistance from the Centre for the purpose of infrastructure development in this regard. He also informed that the process of identifying the routes is underway. He pointed out that there is a need to explore the possibilities of using the Brahmaputra river as a common waterway between India and Bangladesh which will further boost the trade and commerce between the two countries. He also said that through various interventions like these in the rural areas the people would be attracted to remain in their own villages and there would be less migration from rural to urban areas.

Earlier, the Commissioner & Secretary, Commerce and Industries, Mr. Arindam Som, in his welcome address gave a brief highlight on the project and other ventures being lined up to promote border trade. He informed that the total area of the Land Custom Station at Gasuapara is 15 acres and estimated cost of setting it up is Rs 6 crores. He also said that the land custom station would also serve as an export outlet not only to coal based products but also for Horticulture products which is booming in the area.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Mr. Augustine D. Marak, local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Samuel Sangma, Parliament Secretaries Mr. Francis Pondit R. Sangma and Mr. Saleng A. Sangma.