Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma led the inauguration of multiple projects at Babadam in West Garo Hills on Saturday, accompanied by Speaker Thomas A. Sangma and PHE Minister Marcuise Marak.
A significant initiative among those unveiled was the Garo Hills Agro Food Park, spearheaded by the All Garo Hills Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (AGHMPCS) under the leadership of Fr. Sunny Mavelil. Fully funded by the state government with an estimated cost of Rs 15.73 crore, the park boasts a Mustard Processing Unit, Cashew Processing Unit, Hi-Tech Food Lab, Ginger Processing Unit, Solar Power Plant, and 25 Cold Storage Units.
In his address, the Chief Minister reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to supporting farmers engaged in agriculture and horticulture. He outlined various initiatives aimed at improving crop cultivation, packaging, value addition, and marketing statewide. Sangma commended Fr. Sunny’s cooperative society for its endeavors in promoting rural enterprises through collective farming and assured continued government support to empower farmers and cultivators.
The newly inaugurated Agro Food Park is poised to process 100 MT of raw produce annually, encompassing mustard, cashew, ginger, and areca nut. Sangma highlighted the government’s efforts to double farmers’ income, citing the establishment of numerous processing units, warehousing facilities, and cold storages in remote areas over the past six years.
Underlining the government’s push for Integrated Village Cooperatives, Farmer Producer Organizations, and Women’s collectives to drive rural economic growth, Sangma announced plans to replicate the successful model of the Agro Food Park at Babadam in other parts of the state.
Additionally, Sangma disclosed a significant budget allocation of Rs. 357 crore for value chain development, aimed at substantially increasing the income of farming households. He stressed the importance of knowledge-sharing through farmers’ orientations and tours organized by the government.
In a symbolic gesture, Sangma inaugurated the Arecanut Processing unit and laid the foundation for the P.A. Sangma Shopping Complex at Babadam, with MLA Arbinstone Marak and CEM GHADC Albinush Marak also present during the event.
