Shillong, Feb 26: Livestock farming is not classified as an industry in the state, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma informed the Assembly on Monday.
Replying to a question by Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar ( UDP), Sangma said food processing is an industry.
Raising a supplementary question, Tongkhar wanted to know the subsidies being provided to livestock farming sector.
The chief minister said the programme started last year and the government has been distributing piglets, chicks to different farmers.
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 are for livestock farming,”he said.
Under the CM-Elevate, 50% subsidy is being extended by the government.
To a question as to why the government is not extending the same benefits provided under industrial policy to livestock farmers, the chief minister said, “It is for plain reason that farming is farming and industry is industry as per definition and therefore, it cannot be mixed.”
The chief minister said the government is providing adequate support to the farmers in the state. Over 100 pickup trucks were provided for transportation of agricultural produces.
“We want to give another 500 vehicles in the next 5 years,” he said.
The government is providing free power through promotion of renewal energy system in 166 food processing plants across the state.
