Imphal: Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh distributed agriculture machineries and equipment under North Eastern Region Textiles Promotion Scheme to farmers at a function held at City Convention Centre, Imphal on Saturday.
Biren also distributed financial assistance of Rs 10,000 to handicrafts artisans for buying tool kits under the Sub-Mission of Agriculture Mechanization (SMAM) scheme.
Agriculture is an important sector which has largely contributed to the economy of the country. As such the state government has taken up certain measures to save agricultural land with coordination among various departments of the government, he said.
The chief minister announced that the financial assistance given to handicraft artisans would be increased to Rs 20,000 from next year.
Informing that an exhibition of local product “Mai-own 2021” will be organised during March 16-22 at Hapta Kangjeibung, he stressed on the needs for reviving the old food items and culture of the state.
The chief minister expressed that he felt unhappy to know the population of Sangai in Keibul Lamjao National Park had decreased considerably due to human encroachment causing degradation of their habitat. He informed that a committee had been constituted to look into the matter. With the aim to protect the wildlife and the environment, he said the state government had come up with the plan to reward the villages which had put firm commitment to conserve wildlife and environment.
He also announced that villages of Tamenglong which had put efforts to protect Amur Falcons would be rewarded.
Textiles, commerce and industry minister Thongam Biswajit said the distribution programme was organised as a part of celebration of four years completion of the present state government. The assistance had been given to artisans and farmers to enable them improve their working environment, product standardisation and capacity building. This would facilitate them in bringing up their products to international platforms, he added.
Agriculture minister Oinam Lukhoi said the agriculture machineries are provided to beneficiaries every year under SMAM scheme. The machineries are provided to the beneficiaries with a subsidy of 30 to 40 percent for individuals and 40 percent to farmers groups, he added. He appealed to the beneficiaries to optimally utilize the machineries with proper maintenance to contribute to the state’s economy with better productivity.
Under the North Eastern Region Textiles Promotion Scheme, 3000 handicraft artisans will be provided financial assistance to buy tool kits of which 1500 will be benefitted in the 1st Phase and the remaining in the 2nd Phase, an official statement said.
The distribution function which was jointly organised by state department of agriculture and directorate of handlooms and textiles.
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