Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh has stated that vested interests have tried to mislead farmers on the office order issued by the department by claiming it to be a political stunt ahead of the elections.
The Agriculture department earlier this month lifted restrictions on artificial fertiliser, whereby it will be made available at statutorily fixed prices as determined by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers in a controlled quantity to farmers.
Lyngdoh while addressing an awareness programme on State Fertilizer Policy 2022 at Mawkatheiñ village in East Khasi Hills today stated that the office order was done to benefit farmers who also suffered during the Covid-19 induced lockdown.
He said the intention of the department to make fertilisers available again was to ensure higher productivity of crops by using fertilisers like Urea, DAP, MOP and SSP.
“It is not right to say that the decision to make fertilisers again was for political gain. We have done it to help farmers and not like those who claim to love you (farmers) during the elections,” he stated.
Lyngdoh told the framers that the department will come up with another notification on fertilisers and he will leave for New Delhi to urge the Centre to ensure adequate and timely fertiliser supply to the State.
He also said that the block development offices will coordinate with the farmers for supply of fertilisers.
Thousands of farmers attended the programme including Sohra MLA, Gavin M Mylliem, officers of the department, members of the farmer’s association, JAC of the Ri Lum Farmers’ Grievances and Redressal Forum and others.
Farmers who spoke offered their support to the decision taken by the department.
It may be mentioned that the Agriculture Department had in June 2014 discontinued a fertiliser subsidy scheme for farmers. Further, farmers were encouraged to shift to organic farming.
This was aimed at reducing the hazardous effect of chemical fertilisers on human lives, soil and water.
However, despite the stoppage of fertiliser subsidy, many farmers continued to use chemical fertilisers like Urea, DAP, MOP and SSP by procuring them from black market at exorbitant prices.
