Minister Dr Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh says the state keen to bring policies and reforms to strengthen the agricultural department and empower farmers.
SHILLONG, June 20 (The CONNECT) – The Meghalaya government  has awarded eight Best Performing candidates from different districts a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each to support their venture under the visionary programme titled, ‘The Training of Rural Educated Youth for Self-Employment on Farm-Based Activities’ (TREYSEFA)’.
The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, through the office of the Principal, Basic Agriculture Training Centre, has initiated TREYSEFA.
Dr Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare was the Chief Guest. Isawanda Laloo, IAS, Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, D.C. Sohtun, M.A.S, Director, Horticulture, Maqbool L Suiam, Principal, Basic Agricultural Training Centre (BATC), and Monica Mawroh, M.A.S. Senior Instructor, Basic Agricultural Training Centre (BATC) and officials from other allied departments attended the event.
In her address, Dr Lyngdoh pointed out that farmers are the backbone of the State, and it is the duty of the Government to support them in every aspect as they require.
She said that the Government is keen to bring policies and reforms to strengthen the agricultural department and empower farmers so that the local produce will be accessible in the markets to make the State self-sufficient. The government will bring accessible funds which will enhance their livelihood, she added.
Suiam said in his keynote address that TREYSEFA was initiated to impart training to the youth especially from the rural areas in order to make them self-sufficient and get jobs in the agriculture sector.
TREYSEFA is an on-campus training programme conducted through classroom lectures and practical hands-on training. It involves field demonstrations, field exposure visits, teaching the youth about economics potentiality, post-harvest technology, market linkages, planning, finance, investment, and overall management, for self-sustainable livelihood and entrepreneurship. Since, 2018, the TREYSEFA programme is organised annually.