Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 411/18

FOLLOW UP WORKSHOP FOR TRAINING OF RURAL EDUCATED YOUTH FOR SELF EMPLOYMENT

A One day follow up workshop for Training of Rural Educated Youth for Self Employment through Farm-based Activities (TREYSEFA) Certificate Holders organised by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Meghalaya was held today at the Integrated Agriculture Training Centre (IATC), Upper Shillong. Shri K. N. Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya and Agricultural Production Commissioner, Meghalaya graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The programme was also attended by Smti M. N. Nampui, Secretary, Agriculture, Shri R. Langstieh, Director of Agriculture (R&T), Shri B. K. Sohliya, Director, Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship (MIE), Smti S. Mihsill, Director, Meghalaya Agriculture Management and Extension Training Institute (MAMETI), officials from the Departments of Agriculture, Horticulture, Community and Rural Development and representatives from Banking and Financial Institutions. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Kumar said that the follow up workshop is very essential for Agriculture department to get first hand information from certificate holders and also to know through their experience so as to enable the department to assess the success and failure, if any, in the implementation of the scheme. Pointing out that agriculture continues to be the dominant sector of the State economy, Shri Kumar urged the department to intensify the capacity building training for rural educated unemployed youths in the farm based activities so that these rural youths may be gainfully self employed through agricultural and allied activities.

Adding that agriculture marketing plays a vital role in the development of rural economy, Shri Kumar stressed the need for convergence of schemes under Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS), Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship (MIE) and Directorate of Agriculture, (Research and Technology) to impart technical and business skill to the youth to ensure proper remunerative returns for their produce. With abundant availability of variety of fruits in the State, Meghalaya has an immense scope for development in the horticulture sector, said Shri Kumar and stressed the need to add value products of fruits with the introduction of modern technology. To enhance the skill of the youth, Shri Kumar advised the certificate holders to form an association to take entrepreneurship to the next level to create more employment opportunities in the field of agriculture, taking advantage of the various schemes initiated by the government. The topics for the daylong session includes “Current and Emerging Opportunity for Rural Youth in Agriculture and Horticulture and Food Processing Sector” and “Access to Finance for Rural Enterprises” Others who spoke on the occasion were Smti M. N. Nampui, Secretary, Agriculture, Shri R. Langstieh, Director of Agriculture (R&T), Shri B. K. Sohliya, Director, MIE and Smti S. Mihsill, Director, MAMETI.