The United Democratic Party (UDP) is eager to boost its farmers’ wing ahead of the 2023 state elections.
With agriculture employing the majority of the Meghalaya population and with most of the 60 MLAs sent to the Assembly by rural voters, the party wants to give farmers the importance they deserve.
Speaking to Highland Post, UDP general secretary Jemino Mawthoh said that the party will soon convene a meeting of the youth and women’s wings.
“Our preparation is going on full swing and we are gearing ahead for 2023. We do not want to dwell on the weaknesses of other political parties but stay focused, look inwards and introspect on the strengthening of our party organization so that next year we can go on full campaign,” he said. “Farmers constitute a sizable presence in the state of Meghalaya and if 75 percent of the people are still living in rural areas, there’s a need to understand the dynamics that are happening in the rural areas and the need of the right people to reorganize the farmer’s wing.”
The party will also consider tying up with the Hill Farmers Union “so that much-needed support and assistance are delivered to the farmers”.
The party is keen to draw people who understand the plight of the farmers and problems faced by the rural folk.
Stating that the government must ease the problems faced by the farmers and any changes in the agricultural sector should be done with the right approach and strategies that are best suited and feasible, Mawthoh said that there is a need for a very close connection between the farmers and the government and a comprehensive understanding and proper scientific studies about the agricultural sector, including the nature of land, soil texture, type of species that can be grown, marketing and everything related to farming.
“If the government keeps pushing certain things without having a proper understanding of the local situation that varies from one region to another then it becomes a problem for the farmers,” he said.
