Shillong: The Meghalaya government has injected a fresh ₹19 crore into its ambitious FOCUS (Farmers’ Collectivisation for Upscaling Production and Marketing Systems) scheme, reaffirming its commitment to uplift rural communities across the state. A significant chunk of this, ₹8 crore, has been channelled directly to over 4,600 Producer Groups (PGs) within the Garo Hills, underscoring the administration’s dedicated push towards empowering local agriculture and fostering self-reliance.
The significant announcement was made amidst much fanfare at the Pa Togan Nengminja Sangma Athletic Stadium in Tura, where Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma presided over a public event. During the gathering, the Chief Minister also laid the groundwork for the forthcoming Additional Secretariat Complex, a strategic move aimed at decentralising governance and enhancing access to crucial administrative services throughout the region.
Since its inception, the FOCUS scheme has proven to be a pivotal intervention in rural Meghalaya, having already disbursed a substantial ₹120 crore directly to more than 22,500 Producer Groups. Official figures indicate the scheme’s widespread impact, reaching over 2.1 lakh rural households and providing vital support for a diverse range of farming activities, including piggery, poultry, and horticulture.
Chief Minister Sangma emphasised the long-term vision behind the initiative, stating, “These aren’t just grants — they’re investments in the potential of our farmers and the promise of our rural economy. FOCUS is not a one-time scheme; it’s a long-term vision to empower communities, especially women, with over 60% of beneficiaries being women farmers.”
The scheme’s reach in Garo Hills alone is impressive, with nearly 12,000 PGs receiving assistance, benefiting close to one lakh individuals. Similar success has been mirrored in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, where over 10,000 PGs and 1.09 lakh beneficiaries have reaped the rewards. The funds, meticulously disbursed at ₹5,000 per member, are designed to stimulate productivity-linked activities and actively promote cooperative enterprise among farmers.
Further bolstering rural development, the government also released ₹10 crore to the Nokrek Midan Cluster Level Federation under the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS). This move is poised to positively impact 1.9 lakh women and empower over 19,000 Self-Help Groups specifically within the Garo Hills region.
Producer Groups across the region are actively engaged in a wide spectrum of agricultural and allied sectors, including vital activities like piggery, banana and cashew cultivation, mustard farming, and poultry. These efforts are not only generating crucial income but also creating valuable employment opportunities at the local level.
In a comprehensive approach to sustainable development, grants from the Climate Adaptive Community-Based Water Harvesting Project, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), were also distributed alongside the FOCUS funds. This multi-pronged strategy underscores the state’s integrated vision for climate resilience and sustainable growth.
With additional disbursals slated for the 2025–26 financial year, Meghalaya continues to build upon the robust momentum of its rural transformation strategy. This model, increasingly driven by collective action and meticulously targeted financial inclusion, stands as a testament to the state’s commitment to its rural populace.
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