The farmers from the Riwar Sepngi area in South West Khasi Hills have expressed concern over their livelihood as the prices of agricultural products, including broom, bay leaves, betel nut, betel leaves and other agricultural products, continue to decline.
Speaking to reporters, farmers from the Manad area in South West Khasi Hills said that the price of broom, which is the main agro-forest produce of the people in the area, has crashed from Rs 130 per kilogramme last year to only Rs 30 per kg. The same is the case for betel nuts, betel leaves, bay leaves, etc.
Due to the decline in the prices of agricultural products the farmers of Manad, Mawbidong, Pyndenlyngdoh, Lummawbah and Pynden Sohlang, where 95 percent of the people are farmers, have expressed deep sorrow, especially as the prices of essential commodities such as rice, sugar and onions continue to increase day by day.
Reddy Shylla, chairman of the Synjuk ki Rangbah Shnong Manad Area, said that the farmers are currently facing many problems as they cannot supply their products at the right price. “Many farmers from our area are facing a tough time keeping the broom or bay leaves that they have harvested, as they have started decaying because they are not able to sell them due to the low price,” Shylla said.
He also said that if this situation continues the farmers will not be able to make ends meet and afford food for their families.
