Livestock farming is not classified as an industry: Meghalaya CM

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 26, 2024

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday said that presently livestock farming is not classified as an industry. 

Replying in the Assemblly, Sangma however said that food processing is an industry. 

UDP legislator from Mawkyrwat Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar wanted to know the subsidies being provided to livestock farming sector.

The CM said the progress programme was started last year, where the government has been distributing piglets, chicks to different farmers. 

Now, one of the most important programmes is the CM-Elevate, where the government has very large component of subsidy given especially for livestock farming.

“We have received over 30,000 applications for CM-Elevate in a span of 2 months. Of this, 20,000 (applications) are for livestock farming,”he said. He said that under the CM-Elevate 50% subsidy is being extended by the government.            

On why government is not extending same benefits provided under industrial policy to livestock farmers, the CM said, “It is for plain reason that farming is farming and industry is industry as per definition and therefore, it cannot be mixed.”

He however informed that the government is providing adequate support to the farmers in the state. Over 100 pickup trucks have been provided for transportation of agricultural produces. 

“We want to give another 500 vehicles in the next 5 years,” he said. 

The CM also informed that the government is providing free power through promotion of renewal energy system in as many as 166 food processing plants across the state.