SHILLONG: Joyful Diengdoh was selling vegetables in front of her house in Lawsohtun Block VI on Thursday afternoon. There were cabbages, tomatoes and various types of leaves on display and all looked fresh, not something that buyers are getting to see in local markets post-lockdown.
When asked, Diengdoh informed that while the lettuce and peas are from her field, the remaining vegetables were from wholesalers in Bara Bazar. “The greens in my field are over. I am growing afresh,” she said.
Diengdoh is among several organic farmers in Lawsohtun who have started their field work. This is the sowing season and the time to remain food-secured. “We have sowed the seeds which we procured from the poly house in the locality. The vegetables will take about a month to grow,” said Diengdoh, who sells vegetables only in Block VI.
The farmers are following all safety protocols, like wearing of masks and maintaining a metre’s distance in the field. “Now we walk to the field alone and come back alone,” she added.
Lumdok Marbaniang, who is the president of the locality’s organic farmers’ association, grows strawberries over 8,000 square feet.
He said he sold 20 kg from door to door on Wednesday. “But I have to pay rent of Rs 500 for two years to the Dorbar,” said Marbaniang.
Problems persist
There are 40 marginal famers in the locality who do not get any government assistance. They do not get Rs 6,000 per year under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and cannot avail kisan credit cards and other facilities.
Frukly Mawblei and Bethsara Nongsiej are a couple engaged in organic farming in Lawsohtun. With no help, they sustain the agri-horticultural activities by themselves.
“We are buying the seeds and also paying Rs 800 for two years to the Dorbar for using the farm land where we grow carrots, beetroots, spinach, cauliflowers, cabbage and broccoli, among other items,” said Mawblei.
In fact, none of the problems which the farmers here had narrated to The Shillong Times two years ago and which were reported have been solved.
“There is still no irrigation facility, there is no kisan credit card and there is no dedicated organic market,” Marbaniang sneered.