The Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Government of Meghalaya, honoured eight outstanding young farmers from various districts with cash prizes of Rs 50,000 each. These awards, aimed at supporting their agricultural ventures, were part of the visionary programme titled ‘The Training of Rural Educated Youth for Self-Employment on Farm-Based Activities’ (TREYSEFA). The ceremony took place at the IATC building in Upper Shillong.
The event saw the presence of several dignitaries, including Dr Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, who served as the Chief Guest. Other notable attendees included Isawanda Laloo, IAS, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare; D.C. Sohtun, M.A.S, Director of Horticulture; Maqbool L. Suiam, Principal of the Basic Agricultural Training Centre (BATC); and Monica Mawroh, M.A.S, Senior Instructor at BATC, along with officials from various allied departments.
In her address, Dr Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh expressed her admiration for the potential of BATC in training and guiding young individuals involved in agriculture. “Farmers are the backbone of the State, and it is the duty of the Government to support them in every aspect they require,” she stated. The Minister commended all awardees and candidates, urging them to work diligently and dedicate their efforts to their agricultural pursuits. She emphasised the Government’s commitment to introducing policies and reforms aimed at strengthening the agricultural sector and empowering farmers, ensuring local produce is accessible in markets to achieve self-sufficiency for the State. She also mentioned that the Government will facilitate accessible funds to enhance farmers’ livelihoods.
Maqbool Suiam, Principal of BATC, in his keynote address, highlighted the significance of the TREYSEFA programme, which celebrates the accomplishments of candidates who have completed their training. He noted that this was the first time such an event was organised by BATC. Initiated in 2018, TREYSEFA aims to provide training to rural youth, making them self-sufficient and employable in the agriculture sector. In 2021, the seed money provided to candidates was increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh.
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TREYSEFA is an on-campus training programme that includes classroom lectures and practical, hands-on training. It involves field demonstrations, exposure visits, and education on economic potential, post-harvest technology, market linkages, planning, finance, investment, and overall management, aiming for self-sustainable livelihood and entrepreneurship. Since its inception in 2018, TREYSEFA has been held annually.
During the event, awards were distributed, and Rs 1 lakh in seed money was handed over to 20 TREYSEFA candidates from the 2023-24 batch to help them start their ventures. A short documentary showcasing the achievements of the candidates was also displayed.
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