Titos asks KHADC EC to help broomstick farmers

SHILLONG, March 17: The Leader of Opposition in the KHADC, Titosstarwell Chyne has asked the NPP-led Executive Committee (EC) to save broomstick farmers from alleged exploitation by non-tribal traders insofar as exporting their produce is concerned.
He said that the farmers are rendered helpless as they totally depend on these traders.
Chyne said that there is a 60 per cent drop in terms of revenue in the sale of broomsticks as compared to the previous years due to the reduction in the price. The drop in the price of broomstick, as per him, has affected the farmers in various parts including Mawkynrew, Sohra and Shella as well as Ri-Bhoi district.
He said that the Executive Committee should not hesitate to cancel the trading licence of the broomstick traders association if they continue to exploit the farmers.
Meanwhile, KHADC Chief Executive Member (CEM) Pyniaid Sing Syiem said the Council has nothing to do with broomsticks since the state government had decided to recognise it as an agricultural produce. “Before we used to get royalty when broomstick fell under the category of forest produce,” he said.
Syiem, however, assured that they are going to convene a meeting comprising both the farmers and traders to discern the reason behind this price drop. “We will try to see that our farmers are not exploited,” the KHADC CEM added.