By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Sep 22: Nongpoh MLA from United Democratic Party (UDP), Mayralborn Syiem on Friday made a clarion call for an agricultural policy in the state.
Raising a short duration discussion on the news item published in The Shillong Times, Syiem said 75 per cent of the state depends on agriculture to earn their livelihood with farming widely prevalent in the state.
He pointed out that despite the two major food crops – rice and maize – the state is also renowned for its horticultural crops. While many districts of the state produce rice, the quantity does not meet the state’s requirement.
He reminded the House that the state is the second-largest producer of ginger in the country after Kerala and is also known for producing a large array of vegetables.
Stating that as per records, Meghalaya is one of the states that use the least amount of chemicals in agriculture, he said that Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, during the budget session of the Assembly, had mentioned the Meghalaya State Organic and Natural Farming Policy 2023, with an earmarked amount of Rs 25 crore.
The CM had said that this would make the state a leader in the world of organic cultivators.
The Nongpoh MLA, on the other hand, said that coal mining has led the land to become barren. “…cement factories destroyed the orchards and agricultural lands have been compromised for commercial purposes,” he said.
“When we talk about organic and natural farming we must do something to protect our lands by enacting certain laws and declaration of certain agricultural land as special agriculture zone,” he said.
Pointing out that there is a large conversion of paddy fields to fish ponds, Syiem stressed that there should be a proper case study or research on this.
He urged the government to set up a seed bank of indigenous seeds.
He pushed for more awareness on organic, natural farming, and more budgetary provisions.
Joining the discussion, UDP MLA from Shella, Balajied Kupar Synrem said there are villages producing oranges that are unique and asked the government to tag the oranges under the geographical indications to help the producers market their produce in or outside the state.
In reply, Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said that farming in the state is still natural and organic in nature.
“In hindsight, it has been a blessing in disguise that the Green Revolution skipped the Northeast region. Conventionally, shifting or slash-and-burn cultivation, which is commonly known as Jhum cultivation or Rep Shyrti (in Khasi) and A-ba o-a (in Garo) is practised by many farming communities,” she said, while adding that the state only about 17 to 20 kg of chemicals per hectare of land.She said that efforts are in place to maximise food production per unit of land, enable settled and sustainable farming.
“We acknowledge the role that organic and natural farming play and are working towards promoting both,” she added.
Informing that Meghalaya State Rural Livelihood Society (MSRLS) has initiated training on natural farming across the state, she said, “They have entered into an agreement with experts from Andhra Pradesh and have established 18 farmer field schools and have also trained over 35 Community Resource Persons (CRPS) who are further promoting and training farmers in their areas to practice natural farming”.
“So far, over 475 farmers have been trained in natural farming and are practising the same in 500 acres (of land) across 25 villages. Under the programme, MSRLS has also set up 380 multi-cropped kitchen gardens,” she added.
Currently, 32,000 hectare of land is under organic farming and the government has plans to bring in an additional 50,000 hectares by 2030.
Much like natural farming, this farming system is also harmonious with soil and local biodiversity, increases productivity, is good for the health of the consumers and producers, and also fetches better remuneration for the farmers.