Shillong, Jul 26: The National People’s Party Farmers’ Front, Meghalaya, has prepared a detailed memorandum to be submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, seeking urgent interventions to address the challenges faced by farmers in the state.
Speaking to HP, NPP Farmers’ Front general secretary Egenstar Kurkalang said the memorandum proposes long-term solutions to issues of market linkage, storage, processing and taxation that have been impacting farmers for years.
Kurkalang said the front has suggested the expanding market linkage for state agricultural produce, including vegetables, to ensure farmers get better prices. Introduction of low-cost cold storage facilities at various points in villages to reduce post-harvest losses and glut. Strengthening of the Meghalaya State Agriculture Marketing Board to make it more effective in procurement and marketing. Establishment of state agro-based manufacturing and processing industrial units to add value to local produce.Tax exemption for farm vehicles carrying vegetables and other agricultural produce besides others.
“We will take up with the government that vehicles carrying vegetables and other agricultural produce of the state should be free from paying any taxes in various gates including District Council gate and toll plaza on the highway,” Kurkalang said.
Recently the NPP Farmers’ Front held a consultation with vegetable traders to address the sudden crash in prices of agricultural produce, including cabbages, which left farmers in distress.
Kurkalang said the meeting aimed to identify the real causes behind the sharp decline in prices across Meghalaya. The front had earlier met farmers and the Chief Minister, who directed them to find immediate solutions.
According to Kurkalang, there are two major reasons for the slump: surplus supply from neighboring states like Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, being sold at cheaper rates in markets such as Upper Assam, Siliguri and West Bengal. Saturated buyer markets in Silchar and Tripura, where local produce and existing Meghalaya supplies have left no room for more.
“This is not the first time farmers are facing this hardship. In the past too, farmers had to throw away their vegetables due to zero buyers,” he said.
He added that to prevent a repeat, the Farmers’ Front will propose to the government the setting up of additional border and local markets so farmers can get better prices and secure stable exports.
Kurkalang also encouraged educated farmers to start small processing units to add value to produce and avoid distress sales.
“We will see that Meghalaya produce is linked with outside agencies and buyers to ensure a stable market year-round,” he added.
