Plea to look after farmers

SHILLONG: An advocate, Egenstar Kurkalang, has written to Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh asking him to address the grievances of farmers, who are preparing for sowing as well as harvesting.
In the letter to the minister, he said fertiliser is out of order and the manure cannot be transported from Shillong to the fields, which is an essential ingredient for growing crops.
Pointing out at the damage of crops due to hailstorm and heavy rainfall in the last few days in Smit area, Umphrup, Mawmuthoh, Mawpynthih, area of Elaka Laitlyngkot and other parts of East Khasi Hills, the advocate requested the minster to intervene with government initiatives as the inclement weather has caused huge loss and damage to the farmers which may put their future at stake.
Kurkalang urged the minister to arrange fertilisers, especially of urea (Neem Coated Urea), at subsidized rate in this season of sowing as well as the next season through appropriate authority and procedure.
He has also called for arrangement of survey and inspection to provide financial assistance or package through schemes like State Disaster Response Fund, National Disaster Response Fund or others.