SHILLONG, July 6 - Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today launched the draft Jackfruit Mission, which is likely to benefit 82,000 farmers of the State over the next five years.
The mission document, drafted by the Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship, was unveiled here during a jackfruit festival in which a large number of farmers from across Meghalaya participated.
Apart from jackfruits, several value-added jackfruit products were on display in the festival.
�I am impressed by the different products that are on display at the jackfruit festival. I also relished different cuisines made out of jackfruits,� Sangma said at the festival.
The Chief Minister said the estimated loss to the State exchequer is about Rs 434 crore every season as villagers leave the jackfruits rotting in the open. Sangma said once the Jackfruit Mission takes final shape, farmers would stand to benefit immensely.
�Through the mission the Government aims to promote, market and brand different varieties of jackfruits of Meghalaya and facilitate production of value-added jackfruit products,� the Chief Minister added.
The Jackfruit Mission will be launched on August 14, on the eve of the Independence Day, officials said.
