- NET Web Desk
The Meghalaya Chief Minister – Conrad Sangma asserted that Mission-Mode programmes initiated by the state administration aims to promote sustainable rural and urban livelihood; consequently enhancing cultivators’ income through value addition and increased market access.
During the inaugural event of Jackfruit Techno Incubation Centre (TIC) at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) in Shillong under Mission Jackfruit, Sangma stressed on the role of agri-entrepreneurs as a link in the process of value addition and finding lucrative markets for the finished products.
Its worthy to note that ‘Mission Jackfruit’ was launched in 2018. Envisaged as a five-year project, it is being implemented under the Directorate of Food Processing.
“The Jackfruit Mission was initiated to ensure that the farmers are able to use the product in a constructive manner and get value out of the Rs 500 crores worth of Jackfruit that was going to waste. Until and unless we can’t convert those products into things that are sellable and make something more out of something we already have, it’s going to be useless,” – he said.
He stated that the ultimate goal of the various agriculture-related programmes is to benefit farmers, and that the various initiatives must be aligned to achieve the desired results. Besides, Sangma also encouraged restaurants to acquire local products, in order to promote them.
