Editor,
This letter is in response to Ibalahun Nongbsap’s letter on embracing natural farming in Meghalaya. She has rightly pointed out that the state’s hilly terrain, rich soil, high rainfall, and moderate temperatures create ideal conditions for natural farming. She also mentioned the traditional practices like ‘jhum’ (shifting cultivation), mixed cropping, and indigenous knowledge enhancing sustainability, biodiversity, and soil health, allowing diverse crop cultivation while reducing the need for chemical inputs and irrigation.
We completely agree with her on all this and more. Understanding this strength that the state has in the realm of natural farming/regenerative farming/ or agro-ecological farming, the North East Slow Food & Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS) has been working on what it calls the ‘Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems’ or IPFS which works on strengthening the traditional food production systems of the Indigenous Peoples communities of North East India in general and Meghalaya in particular. Apart from jhum, the indigenous Khasi and Garo also practise, bun, homestead gardening, and wet paddy cultivation, without the use of synthetic inputs while also harbouring a great deal of biodiversity in the natural system. The traditional cash crop systems, the bri/plantation in which oranges and areca nuts are grown, are also done without synthetic inputs, unlike the palm oil plantation that was suggested by the Government of India. This is achieved through the landscape management system the communities have instituted.
Over the years, NESFAS has introduced various initiatives to strengthen the IPFS. Some of the prominent ones are initiatives like the Agroecology Learning Circle (where farmers are encouraged to solve problems of seeds, soil and pest, using traditional knowledge), seed banks (where traditional climate resilient seeds are stored), revival of traditional climate-smart and nutrient-rich crops like millet and many others, diversification of homestead gardens for food and nutrition security which includes the domestication of wild edibles, the introduction of the local procumbent model for the school mid-day meal programs (linking local agrobiodiversity with school meal to also enhance the livelihood of the local farmers), the establishment of Mei-Ramew cafés that serve traditional cuisines based on local agrobiodiversity grown without chemicals, supplemented with wild edibles from the surrounding landscape. The health and vitality of the local IPFS, is very much dependent on the health of the local ecosystem, NESFAS has also worked on the restoration of some of the degraded areas around the state and in strengthening the community landscape management system using the bio-centric approach of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). This is an integral part of the local governance system.
Coming back to natural farming guidelines, NESFAS pointed out that they do not take into consideration the farming systems practised by the local community, viz., jhum and bun which are rotational and therefore need revision. In the past, NESFAS was also in discussion with the government on the same issue. During the review of natural farming initiatives by the Central Government, NESFAS was found to be one of the few organisations that were reported to be working on natural farming in the region. As one of the members of the National Coalition of Natural Farming, they also discussed with the concerned official from the Central Government the implementation of the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER).
NESFAS has also built a network of like-minded Indigenous Peoples’ organisations from different parts of the world. It is currently working on a global study encompassing Indigenous Communities from India (Meghalaya), Kenya, Mexico and Thailand to demonstrate that the local food systems can contribute substantially to solving some of the pressing global issues, including climate change and biodiversity loss. For this, it is using the TAPE methodology as designed by FAO-UN. The results are highly promising and suggest that indigenous values of caring and sharing embedded in its governance structure can help the world overcome the ecological and social challenges besetting it.
NESFAS will continue to work to strengthen IPFS and the rights of the local Indigenous Peoples’ communities. It believes that the pressing problems facing the world right now need solutions which respect the knowledge and experience of Indigenous Communities. This is being increasingly acknowledged and NESFAS did play an important role, among other things, through the FAO-led publication on Indigenous Peoples’ food systems which won the 2021 Best in the World Sustainability Report Award, also known as the Nobel Prize for sustainability report. This book has a chapter on the Khasi food systems co-authored by NESFAS and the local community of Nongtraw, which was recognised as one of the game-changing solutions for adapting to climate change. We are grateful and hopeful that individuals like Ibalahun Nongbsap will join us in this effort.
Yours etc.,
Pius Ranee
NESFAS
MPSC should come under scrutiny
Editor,
The protests by the Khasi Students Union (KSU) over the reluctance of the Meghalaya Public Service Commission (MPSC) to rectify the anomalies that were made public deserves applause. As rightly stated, if the UPSC can make public the score-sheets of candidates and hold in-camera interviews what makes the MPSC so sacrosanct that the same cannot be adopted and for what joy? It is a well known fact that political appointees are given charge of the District Selection Centres (DCS) and and MPSC which is why the deserving candidates do not get through and the result is that we get a compromised bureaucracy with zero understanding of what grassroots governance is all about. A state progresses when it churns out productive people in the government and not mere rubber stamps. Period.
Yours etc.
Dominic S. Wankhar,
Via email
Power outage in Malki area
Editor,
I am writing to express my deep concern and frustration regarding the frequent power outage in Malki area. It has become a regular practice of the Power Department to resort to load shedding or some such procedure so that there is no electricity during the morning, evening, and late-night hours. This has had a tremendous impact on the residents, particularly those of us who work from home.
The irregular and prolonged power cuts have severely affected my ability to work efficiently. Without a reliable electricity supply, it is near impossible to meet deadlines, attend virtual meetings, and maintain productivity. This is not only a personal inconvenience but also a significant hindrance to professional commitments and livelihoods.
Moreover, despite these frequent power outages, the monthly electricity bills have not shown any decrease. It is disheartening to pay for a service that is not being adequately provided. The residents of Malki are being charged for a utility that fails to meet even the basic standards of reliability and consistency.
I urge the concerned authorities to address this issue promptly and take necessary action to ensure a stable and reliable power supply in the Malki area. It is essential for the well-being and productivity of the community.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Yours etc.,
Aiban Khraw Kupar Kharnarry
Shillong