Meghalaya will turn 50 next year but it still does not know its unique selling point (USP). Is it Tourism, Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, Veterinary or all of the above? Tourism obviously cannot be clubbed with Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries and Veterinary. And Tourism seems pretty well sorted out as far as managing the entire value chain is concerned, more so since many eminent hoteliers and tour promoters have already launched themselves into this sector. It is the Agri-Horti, Fisheries and Veterinary sectors that require sound guidance and action points. That there is now a Farmers’ Commission in the State headed by a progressive and grounded bureaucrat whose connection with the farming community is legendary, right from the time he was the district administrator, Ri Bhoi is hope-giving
Agriculture, Horticulture, Veterinary and Fisheries should actually converge under one Ministry because they are interlinked. Fisheries as it is practised by progressive farmers lends itself to aquaculture and hydroponics which is being tried out by entrepreneurs with much success. This model must be replicated because the production of vegetables through Aquaculture and Hydroponics both of which benefit from the waste matter derived out of fish tanks and which is circulated in a very efficient system is phenomenal.
The fish farmers of several villages adjoining Mawlyndep are now ready to embrace Biofloc fish farming techniques. This will yield them better profits then rearing fish in ponds which also make the fish susceptible to disease carried by flowing water. The recognition given by the country to two farmers from Meghalaya recently is a signal for the state to invest better in the Agri-Horti sector. Spices have been Meghalaya’s strength. Yet it has taken so long for the State to recognise that it has a treasure in the turmeric with a curcumin content of 7.5% which is the highest in the world. Only now is the Department giving a fillip to this spice which is known for its medicinal properties. In fact, even the ginger here is known to have oil extract with high medicinal and spice content. Meghalaya already produces and has a market for strawberries. Farmers have meanwhile learnt to improve both the quality and the production rate of strawberries by interacting with other growers. It has taken a while for Meghalaya to come up with farmer’s cooperatives and self help groups – an action plan that has the potential to revolutionise farming in that the entire value chain from growing to harvesting to marketing is taken care of. The Lakadong turmeric farmers have shown the way forward. The Government needs to invest in the farmers’ aspirations.
