Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 65/25

FOCUS SCHEME POWERS RURAL TRANSFORMATION

In a decisive push to empower grassroots communities and strengthen rural livelihoods, the Government of Meghalaya has initiated the disbursement of nearly Rs.19 crore in financial grants to Producer Groups, PGs, under its flagship FOCUS, Farmers Collectivisation for Upscaling Production and Marketing Systems, program across the state. Of this, a significant Rs.8 crore has been disbursed to over 4600 PGs in Garo Hills alone, marking a major milestone in the states mission to make rural economies more self-reliant. The announcement was made during the foundation stone laying ceremony for the Additional Secretariat Complex in Tura, a historic move towards decentralising governance, where Honble Chief Minister Shri Conrad K. Sangma led the disbursal ceremony at the Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma Athletic Stadium.

Over the years, the FOCUS initiative has emerged as a transformative platform, touching the lives of more than 2.1 lakh rural households across Meghalaya and channelling close to Rs.120 crore in direct benefit transfers. The scheme promotes the collectivisation of farmers into producer groups and provides strategic financial support of Rs.5000 per member for productivity-linked initiatives, particularly in sectors like piggery, poultry, and horticulture. Since its launch, the FOCUS scheme has made significant strides across both Garo Hills and Khasi Jaintia Hills, ensuring inclusive growth throughout Meghalaya. Together, these regions have seen close to Rs.120 crore disbursed to more than 22000 Producer Groups, positively impacting around 2.1 lakh rural households.

In Garo Hills, close to 12000 PGs and 1 lakh beneficiaries have been supported, while Khasi and Jaintia Hills have similarly witnessed grants reaching over 10000 PGs and more than 1.09 lakh families. This equitable distribution reflects the Governments commitment to transforming rural livelihoods statewide, fostering collective action, enabling enterprise, and strengthening the economic backbone of farming communities across Meghalaya.

These year-wise efforts bring the cumulative total to Rs.120 crore, with over 22500 Producer Groups supported across the state so far. The FY 202526 tranche adds nearly Rs.19 crore to this growing outreach, reinforcing the governments commitment to a resilient rural economy. Honble Chief Minister, while handing over the cheques in the event in Tura, emphasised, These arent just grants, theyre investments in the potential of our farmers and the promise of our rural economy. FOCUS is not a one-time scheme, its a long-term vision to empower communities, especially women, with over 60 percent of beneficiaries being women farmers.

In addition to FOCUS, the day witnessed the disbursal of Rs.10 crore to Nokrek Midan Cluster Level Federation, CLF, under Rongram Block through the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society, MSRLS, benefitting over 1.9 lakh women and more than 19000 Self-Help Groups, SHGs, in Garo Hills, a strong step towards enhancing women-led development. Producer Groups in Garo Hills are engaged in diverse activities such as piggery, banana and cashew cultivation, poultry, and mustard farming. These not only enhance food security but also create sustainable income streams and job opportunities at the village level.

The event also included grants under the Climate Adaptive Community-Based Water Harvesting Project, ADB, highlighting the governments multi-pronged approach to climate resilience, livelihoods, and decentralised development. With Meghalayas rural transformation gaining momentum, the FOCUS scheme continues to be a cornerstone, not just in funding livelihoods, but in building dignity, opportunity, and prosperity for every farming household.