SHILLONG: Three communities from Meghalaya participated in the monthly Mei Ramew Farmers’ Market that was organised by the North East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS) on its office premises in Laitumkhrah on Saturday.
The market showcased and sold various produce from shifting cultivation and kitchen gardens, brought by three partner communities, namely, Liarsluid (Ri Bhoi district), Mawlum Mawjahksew (West Khasi Hills) and Umsawwar (East Khasi Hills).
Lambinus Raliang, a Master of the Social Work Department from Assam Don Bosco University who visited the event, said, “It is a good initiative as we get an opportunity to get local products which are not available in the mainstream market. It also helps boost the economy and the livelihood of the farmers.”
Adding that it helps people gather knowledge about wild edibles and indigenous crops and this in turn helps conserve the biodiversity.Innovation Associate of the National Innovation Foundation India, Leshiphro Kashena, said, “This is my first time at the farmers’ market where farmers are actually getting an opportunity to sell their products. Since most of the plants are dying these days, it is a nice feeling to see that there are farmers who are preserving these and are bringing them back. It is also a good way to connect with the farmers and the rural communities.” Therisa Nongrum, a farmer from Umsawwar community, said it’s a great opportunity to be able to sell these fruits and vegetables brought from their communities, especially most of the wild edibles that are just left in the forests.
The ESAL Meghalaya group also showcased various Garo and modern progressive cuisines, like cabbage roll dumplings, gominda wak (pumpkin pork stew) and jakep and special brewed tea, at their first pop-up show of the year.
On the other hand, Rostina Mujai of Liarsluid, Ri Bhoi, took pride in explaining the steps of cooking a special vegetable brought from her community called ‘Lashing’.
Members of the NESFAS kitchen showcased a few local cuisines like smoked beef with pumpkin, cucumber with chameleon plant chutney, wild edible dried fish chutney, millet cake and many more.
Shraddha Bandya, a member of Dehradun-based People’s Science Institute, an NGO that promotes natural resource management, conservation biology, and sustainable development, who is on a visit to Shillong, appreciated NESFAS’ initiative.
“This market is a wonderful and excellent venture and I think it should be supported further as rural communities should have a space for organic food and local produce. This whole idea of the kitchen and getting a taste of the samples is a great way to engage with people,” she said.
The market is an initiative that started in April 2017 by NESFAS and many more markets have been organised in the past in collaboration with like-minded organisations and institutions.