Betel nut farmers have been facing devastation due to bud rot, a disease that has severely affected their plantations. The Agriculture Department has been actively working to combat the disease while also encouraging farmers to avoid mono farming, which places their entire business at risk.
During the Assembly budget session today, Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh informed the house that while the disease remains a concern, it has become more sporadic. Farmer sensitisation has had some success, with a slight decrease in bud rot cases observed. However, she reiterated that adopting a multiple cropping system is essential to ensure that farmers do not suffer complete losses due to a single crop failure.
Based on expert recommendations, an advisory leaflet detailing preventive and remedial measures has been prepared in Khasi and Garo for distribution among betel nut farmers.
The disease has significantly affected farmers in various regions, including Dadenggre and Rongram blocks, where 209 and 467 farmers, respectively, have suffered losses. Dadenggre MLA Rupa Marak, who had raised the question, also expressed concern over the rapid spread of the disease, stating that it has devastated farmers in his constituency.
In response, Lyngdoh explained that bud rot is caused by the Phytophthora fungus, which leads to the rotting of the growing bud and surrounding tissues. Field diagnostics in Meghalaya confirmed symptoms typical of Phytophthora crown rot and bud rot, with microscopic examinations verifying the presence of the fungus. Surveys from 2021-22 indicated that eight districts had been affected, covering approximately 1,968 hectares – around 10 percent of betel nut plantations in the state.
Regarding financial assistance, the minister said that the government has sanctioned and distributed Rs 6.8 crore to about 3,500 affected farmers, enabling them to cultivate alternative crops with short gestation periods, such as bananas and pineapples. So far, 189 hectares have been covered with banana plantations, while pineapples have been introduced on 264 hectares. Additionally, Rs 5 crore has been proposed under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) for the 2024-25 financial year to extend assistance across 1,121 hectares in all eight districts. Each affected farmer receives approximately Rs 43,750, covering not only seeds but also pest and nutrition management packages.
Marak sought specific figures on compensation provided to farmers in Dadenggre and Rongram blocks. However, Lyngdoh clarified that the department maps affected areas district-wise rather than block-wise. In West Garo Hills alone, 26 villages have been affected, with 5,001 hectares impacted. A total of 801 hectares have been rehabilitated, benefiting 40,100 farmers, of whom 4,500 have been directly affected. Through various schemes, Rs 2.63 crore has been distributed to affected farmers in the district.
Amlarem MLA Lahkmen Rymbui recalled a 2008 meeting with ICAR and the Agriculture Department regarding bud rot in Muktapur. He questioned whether the earlier recommendation of spraying medicine from the top of the trees was still valid. Lyngdoh responded that while drone technology had been experimented with, the state’s topography posed challenges for its large-scale implementation. Instead, the government has advised farmers to adopt multiple remedial measures, including planting the right seeds and adopting scientific farming practices.
Rymbui suggested that the Agriculture Department provide drones at the block level to contain bud rot outbreaks immediately and Lyngdoh assured that the government is willing to intensify drone usage and implement multiple solutions, including crop diversification and targeted schemes.
Mawsynram MLA Ollan Singh Suin, who has personally worked to combat the disease, proposed that the department adopt an orchard and monitor it for two to three years to assess the effectiveness of various interventions. The minister affirmed that research is ongoing and that the government is committed to supporting farmers affected by bud rot.
Kharkutta MLA Rupert Momin raised concerns about compensation, stating that many farmers are unaware of the procedure to apply for financial aid. Lyngdoh responded that the Meghalaya One portal allows farmers to register for assistance. Identified farmer aggregators help farmers complete the required formalities, after which an inspection is conducted. If all criteria are met, funds are directly transferred to the farmers’ accounts, she explained.
