Advising the people not to believe in miracles, Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein today exhorted the farmers to work hard without depending on God.
"Let us walk matching our steps, success would embrace", he said to the thunderous applause of over 4,000 women farmers and weavers representing 121 self-help-groups (SHGs), farmers' clubs, gaon buras, PRI leaders, villagers during a National Youth Project (NYP) function at Namsai district.
The state has already proved its potentials by winning National Krishi Kamran Award for four consecutive years which needs a new thrust, he said before launching SHREEWin, an organic input doing miracles in 40 nations by doubling production of crops and tripling that of pulses.
While assuring all possible help to the farmers and weavers, Mein urged them to use it, adopt scientific methods and sought NYP help.
He directed the agri-horti officer to take up pilot project departmentally and through a progressive farmer to monitor and report to him the outcome.
Appreciating the NYP-run pilot CM's Livelihood Mission School at Nampong, an initiative of former agriculture minister, Setong Sena after inspecting such schools in Sikkim with an NYP team, Mein advocated to set up such schools in the district as approved by the Cabinet but insisted on innovative area-specific cultivation with professionalism, like providing alternative to end opium menace.
The micro finance scheme announced in 2016-17 state Budget would serve as a boon, he said and advised them to avail the benefit to weave quality products to match demands.
He suggested the SHGs to strengthen themselves to earn decent livelihood as white colour jobs have become scarce.
Responding to a plea, Mein assured to seek the view of the weavers and the DC on handing over the defunct Lohit Women Weavers' Cooperative Society Ltd to the NYP for proper functioning for the poor weavers to benefit.
Terming SHG best platform to empower women in the fast changing time, Namsai DC R K Sharma advised them to work with unity as it would facilitate their socio-economic and educational development besides helping in additional income.
He cautioned them to reach consensus of any action as many SHGs disappeared for differences of opinion among the members.
