Report: NE Farmers, Entrepreneurs Witnessing Income Growth From Govt Initiatives
Guwahati: Several business owners and farmers in Assam, Meghalaya, and other Northeastern states are profiting from government welfare programmes and are seeing an increase in their revenue, a report stated.
A farmer named B Sangma who lives in the West Garo Hills of the Meghalaya district claimed that she benefitted from government social programmes. She recently took part in the Guwahati conference on the Vibrant North East 2023.
“I personally have made many local products including various types of chips. The government has taken up many development schemes for the welfare of farmers and I also get benefits from it. I have received money from the government schemes. The agriculture, and horticulture departments are also helping us. My income has also grown up,” Sangma.
S Lyngdoh, a young entrepreneur from Meghalaya, claimed that the government has given them a platform to market and sell the goods they have manufactured.
“In our Ri-Bhoi district, most of the people have produced pineapple. But we faced difficulties in selling our products. But now the government has given us a market. Farmers also get benefits from the government schemes,” she said.
Margaret, another woman entrepreneur, concurred that government initiatives have aided in the expansion of her company.
“I would like to thank the Meghalaya government for giving us an opportunity to showcase our products and go ahead of selling our products,” Margeret said.
“Farmers of Meghalaya are getting good benefits from the government’s initiatives,” she added.
Furthermore, numerous women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Assam and other Northeastern regions have benefited from initiatives taken by the federal and state governments as part of their welfare programmes.
According to Sangita Das, a member of a SHG in Assam’s Kamrup Metro district, all of her SHG’s members benefit from government programmes.
“Our income has also increased,” Sangita Das said.
Several farmers and young business owners in the entire region are benefiting, according to Suditri, a worker at the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC), and NERAMAC has provided them with a platform and market to sell their goods.