July 23, 2004

Shillong, July 23, 2004: The North Eastern Council (NEC) Project on Citrus Rejuvenation and Development of Orange Mandarin in East Khasi Hills will be launched at Ischamati, Sohra Sub-Division on July 24, 2004 at 11:00 A.M. Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Donkupar Roy and Minister for Agriculture etc., Mr. H.D.R. Lyngdoh, will be the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively.

Shillong, July 23, 2004: Due to heavy landslides caused by incessant rain during the last few weeks, the Executive Engineer PWD (Roads), National Highway Bye-Pass Division, Shillong, has informed that the Jongsha-Kharang-Dienglieng-Nongjrong Road has been temporary closed for all types of vehicular traffic starting from 14^th Km onwards. This road shall remain closed until further orders.

Shillong, July 23, 2004: As part of the International Year of Rice celebration 2004, the Office of the District Agriculture Officer, Nongpoh, today organised a day long workshop on Intensive Rice Production Technology for farmers of the area at DIET, Saiden. The Chief Guest on the occasion was the Meghalaya Agriculture Minister, etc., Mr. H D R Lyngdoh.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Lyngdoh termed Ri Bhoi as the Rice Bowl of the State. Out of 2,21,830 hectares of arable land in the State, he said that rice cultivation covers only 1,07,742 hectares and though rice is the main staple food, people prefer planting of commercial and cash crops like ginger, broomsticks, etc.

Regarding development in the field of agriculture, the Minister informed that he had recently a project at Mawpun, Umroi for the plantation of turmeric and other projects would soon be started for orange plantation at Umsiang, rose plantation projects of Rs.70 lakhs at Dewlieh and an organic farming project of Rs. 0.30 lakhs. He therefore urged upon the farmers to avail the opportunity that are available and to properly make use of it. He further informed that the Government is going to set up a regulated market in every District through the Technology Mission, a Centrally sponsored scheme, in order to help the farmers with a support price for their agricultural products.

The Deputy Commissioner, Ri Bhoi District, Mr. W L Lyngdoh, who also spoke on the occasion as the Guest of Honour, said that Ri Bhoi District is very rich in terms of fertility of soil and natural resources. He also urged the farmers to use hybrid varieties instead of local varieties as it yields more production and could be grown twice a year.

The meeting was presided over by Mr. H K Marak, Director of Agriculture.