By Kynsai L Sangriang
While most of the educated youths in Meghalaya especially those from semi-urban as well as rural areas were feeling “ashamed” to go back to their villages to start farming and rearing animals as their minds were all set for the ‘more dignified jobs’ especially government ones, a man from Rangthong village, 15 kms from Mawkyrwat in South West Khasi Hills district (SWKH) who is also a well-known politician in the district has set an example for the youths of the state that by being a farmer, one can achieve heights in their careers.
Capturing the essence of Earth Day, Sunday Shillong brings to its readers the story of Kitborlang Nongrem, a farmer-turned-politician presently holding the posts of President of the National People’s Party (NPP) South West Khasi Hills District (SWKH) and President of the National People’s Youth Front (NPYF) Meghalaya Unit.
“I have ventured into piggery, poultry and fish farming since 2011. I started with only one pig and as I gradually started investing, the numbers have soared. Today, I have 65 pigs including piglets.” The enterprise has not been limited to pig rearing only. Nongrem also has poultry livestock and fish ponds for additional income. “For poultry, I rear 200-500 chickens. The quantity of fish in the three big ponds is a few tons.”
“I get by with some additional hands. Currently, I have employed some people to take care of all these animals, but otherwise, I look after them myself” he adds.
Use of Scientific knowhow
Having learnt the art of ‘Bokashi Poultry’ a Japanese technique of pig rearing that means fermented organic matter is a sustainable, environment-friendly and lucrative way of healthy pig livestock management.
“Over the years,my fellow farmers from the district, and I would practice the traditional system taught by our forefathers. Ever since we learned the new Bokashi piggery method; a training conducted by Bethany Society, Mawkyrwat Branch for the farmers of Rangthong village, we witnessed its advantages and now there has been no looking back.” Nongrem elaborates, “It reduces the dependence on manpower as it does not require regular cleaning of the poultry shed anymore as opposed to the erstwhile system, which was time and labour intensive and our chickens are also healthier because it is an odour-free poultry.”
Having attended training sessions on piggery, poultry, fishery and cultivation at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Umiam in Ri Bhoi district and on fish farming at Kolkata through Basin Development, have benefitted him to the extent of incrementing his earnings. Nongrem further adds, “The surplus in income aids in emergency expenses and meeting unforeseen needs for the family as well.”
Fish Production and Fishing Competitions
Initially built for the sole purpose of fish production to supply local produce to the major markets in the district and state, turned out to be a costly affair inclusive of the expensive feed brought from Shillong. To reduce the dependence on fish production, a switch to fishing competition was made. “Fishing competition has become a popular sport in the state, and therefore, I organise a competition thrice a year with a prize money including vehicles as trophies.” On the utilisation of the money earned, he says, “I am able to manage and maintain the ponds, pay the employees and support our daily needs at home.”
Lockdown Woes
The challenges of lockdown were witnessed by all but it was deeper for farmers. Nongrem explains, “They were challenging times as farmers were expected to procure feed for the fish, pigs and chickens from Mawkyrwat and Shillong and the cost had doubled too. Besides, fishing competitions had come to a complete stop to avoid any form of public gatherings.”
In these times, the piggery mission initiated by the government helped the farming community in becoming self-sufficient. Expressing his views on the subject, he says, “On behalf of the farming community, I believe the government needed to do more as they were trying times for the farmers to get access to financial support as they had to form Cooperative Societies in which majority of our farmers with less education were not able to decipher the technicalities of documents.”
Land is ours
Asserting his faith in farming as a profession, Nongrem shares, “Agriculture and farming is a major sector that has massive potential to provide employment to the youths, and not the seemingly easy route of reservation policy.”
Impassioned by the subject, he explains, “Majority of the youth in our state complain about unemployment and when we say employment, to them (educated youth) it means government jobs.” Elaborating on the problem and solution finding, he thinks, “The problem is that till now our people have not taken farming and rearing of animals as a job. Our youths should let go of this thought process that they are jobless if they don’t secure government jobs and should instead think of ways to create job opportunities for themselves and others – farming and rearing animals as an alternative.”
Feeling strongly against the State Reservation Policy, Nongrem opines, “The state government needs to rethink the reservation policy and learn from developed countries like that of the United States of America, which are struggling to provide government jobs but creating opportunities for its people.”
Delving deeper into the subject matter, Nongkrem cites an example, “Reservation Policy is not one to solve the problem of unemployment in our state. For example, if the district services here in South West Khasi Hills advertises for five vacant posts or the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) for ten vacant posts, there will be thousands of applicants for the job and if the government gives only the Khasi-Jaintia 100% of the reservation, what about the others?”
Living a life based on sheer grit and drive for building one through ploughing one’s land and its resources, Nongrem’s ideas of employment and self-sufficiency capitalising on the rich resources of our land, paves the way for the youth to strive hard and be zesty to take up such challenges.