Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today released the first installment of ₹2,500 each to more than 93,000 beneficiaries, totalling ₹23.25 crore, as the first tranche for FY 2023–24 under the FOCUS+ Scheme, an extended model of the state’s flagship FOCUS initiative. This milestone, the Chief Minister said, marks a decisive push towards empowering rural households and strengthening the state’s agricultural value chain.
FOCUS+—launched in July 2022 as an expansion of the Farmers’ Collectivisation for Upscaling Production and Marketing Systems (FOCUS) programme—has already supported over 1.5 lakh farmers, with ₹75.3 crore disbursed till date to boost agri-economic activities. The scheme provides rural households with resources to take up diverse activities, improve productivity, and fortify rural livelihoods.
In his address, Sangma informed, “Today is a remarkable day for us all. Over 10,000 people from about 52 C&RD blocks across various regions have joined us online, connected through technology. I often stress our goal to build a $10 billion economy by 2028. Infrastructure like roads, administrative buildings, or sports facilities alone cannot drive holistic development. To realize this vision, every citizen, village, block, and district must progress together.”
Drawing from his visit to Iewduh market—established more than a century ago—he underscored that no previous government had directly supported its street vendors, shopkeepers, and hawkers. “The newly launched Chief Minister Urban Livelihood Grant (CM ULG) scheme will now provide direct benefit transfers and cash assistance to uplift small businesses and livelihoods,” he said.
Highlighting farmers’ needs, the Chief Minister stated, “We recognized that our farmers needed additional financial support to address smaller but critical challenges they face daily. This realization led us to launch the FOCUS+ program.” He announced that those who received the first installment for the 2023–24 tranche will soon get their remaining installments, urging farmers to use the funds productively and register on the unified MeghalayaOne portal for access to all schemes and services.
Beneficiaries across the state shared their gratitude and experiences. Mr. Batskhem Nongrum from Mawkynrew Block, a member of Dohlang Producer Group, thanked the State Government for the opportunities and incentives under FOCUS and FOCUS+. Khrawkupar Kharbani of Tynronglem Producer Group in Nongstoin said the scheme’s financial assistance enabled him to purchase seeds, supporting his business and family’s livelihood. He also highlighted the seasonal challenges farmers face, stressing the importance of water harvesting.
With an annual investment of nearly ₹500 crore, the combined FOCUS and FOCUS+ initiatives are projected to channel ₹5,000 crore to Meghalaya’s farmers over the next decade, fostering self-reliance and long-term economic growth. Beneficiaries are issued FOCUS+ cards for identification, with funds released in installments—today’s disbursement marking the beginning of this ambitious rollout.
