Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 154/22

KISAN BHAGIDARI, PRATHMIKTA HAMARI CAMPAIGN UNDER AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV IN MEGHALAYA

The Directorate of Horticulture, Meghalaya, Shillong through the Office of Managing Director, MgSFAC, Meghalaya, Shillong recently organised programmes and activities as part of the ‘Kisan Bhagidari, Prathmikta Hamari Campaign’ under Azadi Mahotsav.

The programmes conducted during the campaign included Awareness cum Training program on Vegetables, Flowers, Ginger, Turmeric, etc. cultivation in all districts of the State by resources persons from KVK’s, ATMA’s, State Department Officers, etc. Training was conducted on different techniques of raising seedlings, after care, on field management of pest and disease by manual and biological method for these crops. The farmers were distributed with vegetable seed kits to mobilize and motivate them.

Awareness cum Training/ program on Market linkages was also conducted to FPO’s at District level where resource persons visited the different District to conduct the Training/ Program with the aim to improve outcome through collective action groups, to attract buyers and to access larger market for enhancing economy.

Training programme on mushroom cultivation was also imparted to farmers with special focus on the species suited for the state based on Agro-Climatic conditions viz. Agaricus species (Button Mushroom), Pleurotus species (Oyster Mushroom), Lentinula ededes (Shitake Mushroom). Training was given to farmers on how to take up Mushroom cultivation as an “Agri-business”. Practical demonstration on Preparation of Oyster cube and Button composting was also conducted.

Besides training programmes, Webinars and Awareness Program on advanced cultivation techniques of High Value and Exotic Vegetable crops under Protected Cultivation was hosted by CIH, Nagaland and resource person from the Institute conducted the training to farmers from different districts through virtual mode. Training was imparted on packages of practices of vegetable cultivation for High Value Vegetable Crops such as Capsicum, Cucumber, Coloured Capsicum, Tomato, Chilli, etc. Training was also given on Hydroponics – a future of Urban farming and its advantages in global urbanization.

Press Release No. 155/22

CHIEF MINISTER INAUGURATES CHAMHANA GW REFUSE DERIVED FUEL PLANT AT TURA ON 17.05.2022

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated the pilot project of CHAMHANA GW-Refuse Derived Fuel Plant in the presence of Special Guest His Excellency Chang Jae-Bok, Ambassador of Republic of Korea to India at Landfill Site, Rongkhon Songgital, Tura on 17th May, 2022. The Korean Ambassador was accompanied by the Lady Ambassador and Team of Officials from the Korean Embassy, New Delhi.

Inaugurating the first of its kind in the state and the country, the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said that this is a memorable day since the innovative pilot project though made of simple technology and low cost budget would convert waste into energy and could be used in place of coal or charcoal. Recalling his visit to the landfill site way back in 2019, the Chief Minister said that the amount of garbage dumped at the site poses a great challenge on how to dispose of the waste and said that with the collaboration with the CHAMHANA Korean company the Fuel plant is expected to reduce waste and revert and recover the environment as before. He further, mentioned that the project will convert plastic and food waste into energy blocks and the process of turning the heaps of garbage lying on the landfill site would take about 9 to 12 months to be converted since they first need to segregate the mud from the waste. He also informed that the project would be expanded to Shillong, Jowai, Nongstoin and other districts as well in the coming days. Stating that the main problem of the Tura town is throwing waste on the streets and streams, he requested all the members of the respective Development Committees to cooperate and sensitize everyone not to throw waste recklessly especially at bazaar areas since these places also generate waste from business establishments and that everyone should play a responsible role from grassroot level in segregation of waste, cooperate with the Tura Municipal Board in management of waste and motivate others in making and keeping the town clean and green in future.

His Excellency Chang Jae- Bok, the Ambassador of Republic of Korea to India while speaking during the inaugural function of Fuel Plant said that among the North-eastern states Tura is the first town that he had visited adding that the topography is similar to that of Korea. He expressed hope that the Chamhana Fuel Plant being implemented in Tura would make Tura into Zero waste towns in future.

In his keynote address, Technical Advisor to the Chief Minister, Government of Meghalaya, Naba Bhattacharjee said that it is a Green letter day as the town is moving forward to a Waste Free Clean and Green Tura. Stating that the project did not evolve in a day, he said that it was initiated way back in 2019 by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma which would have been installed in 2020 but it was delayed due to Covid-19. Stating that the Chamhana is installing the plant without any cost to the Government and they will realised their first instalment by marketing this fuel.

The Chief Executive Officer, Tura Municipal Board Rikse R Marak speaking during the inaugural function of the Refuse Derived Fuel Plant being installed at the Landfill Site, Rongkon Songittal, Tura said that successful and effective garbage management poses a great challenge at the present time. She briefed about the geographical features of the town and its inhabitants for the benefit of the Special Guest, Ambassador of Republic of Korea to India.

The Chairman, Tura Municipal Board J D Sangma, Executive Engineer, Tura Municipal Board, H P N Sangma spoke on the occasion while Reverend Frithing D Sangma, Pastor Hawakhana Baptist Church led the gathering with a prayer. Other Dignitaries, Heads of Departments of West Garo Hills District, Members of Locality Development Committees were amongst others who attended the function.

Press Release No. 156/22

DISTRICT LEVEL INTER SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEET HELD AT KHLIEHRIAT

The three days District Level Inter School Athletic Meet 2022 kick-started today at Teilang Playground, Dkhiah West, East Jaintia Hills District. Shri. Abhilash Baranwal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat graced the event as the Chief Guest. Smti. Stephanie. M. Rapsang, District Sports Officer, East Jaintia Hills District and Shri. Coming One Joy Tlang, General Secretary, East Jaintia District Sports Association were also present during the inaugural function.

The Athletic Meet 2022 was organized by the office of the District Sports Officer, East Jaintia Hills District in collaboration with the East Jaintia District Sports Association (EJDSA) as part of the celebration of 75 years of India’s Independence and the celebration of 50 years of Meghalaya statehood.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest, Shri. Abhilash Baranwal, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Khliehriat praised the athletes of different schools for their courage, enthusiasm, and their spirit of participation despite the inclement weather. He also said that sports will give the students immense values, be it discipline, perseverance, competitive spirit, and motivation to achieve anything in their life despite the challenges or difficulties they might be facing.

In this year's athletic meet, 23 Schools of the District will be participating in various events that consist of the 60 metre, 100 metre, 200 metre, 300 metre, 400 metre, 600 metre, 800 metre, 1500 metre, 2000 metre, 3000 metre, 4X100 metre relay, Discus Throw, Javelin Throw, Shot Put, High jump and Long Jump which have been divided into three categories that is, under 14, under 16 and under 18 years of age for both boys and girls.

Press Release No. 157/22

DISTRICT LEVEL INTER SCHOOL ATHLETIC MEET HELD AT NONGPOH ON 17.05.2022

The three day District Level Inter School Athletic Meet was today inaugurated by Shri. Arpit Upadhaya IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Nongpoh at NSCA Mini Stadium, Pahamsyiem, Nongpoh in which 22 schools from the entire district participated in the meet.

In his inaugural speech Mr. Upadhaya highly appreciated the District Sports Officer, Nongpoh for such a programme being organized for the interest and well being of the student community in the field of sports besides their academic curriculum. The meet would, to a large extend help in promoting physical exercise, sporting spirit, discipline and a sense of competition among the students so that they could be at par with the students of other district and states in the field of sports and particularly in their pursuit of knowledge in order that they can build a better society in their future, he said. Such events is very important among the students in building their confidence and to be able to catch the talent of the youths at the right time, he said and urged the organizers that such programme should time and again be organized for the benefit of the students, the district and the state as a whole. He wished all the participating schools a success.

Other who spoke on the occasion were Shri. Giri Prasad, IPS, SP, Ri Bhoi, Shri. B. Nongbet, DSO and Shri. R.B. Shadap, President RBDSA