Shillong, Jul 19: Red radish farmers in Nongthliew village, Eastern West Khasi Hills, are facing heavy losses after wholesale prices crashed to Rs 2–4 per kilogramme, far below cultivation costs.
Farmers said months of labour and investment have gone to waste as traders are offering rates that do not even cover transport costs. Many have been forced to dump their produce in fields to rot.
“The money spent on seeds, labour and fertilisers is not being recovered at only Rs 2 to Rs 4 per kg. It’s better to leave it in the field,” a farmer said.
The farmers also flagged unfair weighing practices. They alleged traders deduct 1kg for every 10kg sold – a loss of 10 percent.
To recover costs, farmers said the price needs to be at least Rs 10–15 per kilo. They have urged the state government to intervene and introduce a support price and regulatory measures to protect growers from distress sales.
Nongthliew is one of the major vegetable-growing areas in Eastern West Khasi Hills, with radish a key cash crop for small farmers during this season.
