Tura, Aug 12: Farming, despite its essentiality to all, has never been a lucrative trade, more so in Garo Hills where the hilly terrain makes this even more challenging. This, however, could change rather quickly if the efforts of a recently opened cooperative society in Babadam, West Garo Hills, begin to bear fruit in the coming years.
The All Garo Hills Multipurpose Cooperative Society (AGHMPCS), which was set up with the support of the state government of Meghalaya in the year 2022 has a heartening story that could set up a revolution in the fields of agriculture and horticulture.
The Babadam office sits on a land over 5 bighas with 3 processing units, 1 quality control lab, an admin building, staff quarters, training hall, cold storage, a warehouse with 1000 MT capacity and an upcoming 6 storied multi utility space.
The future and what it would mean for farming in Garo Hills with AGHMPCS in tow
Built with the intent to bring the market closer to the farming community as well as provide them with true value for their goods, the AGHMPCS has been operating through various societies to make farming more lucrative.
Helping farmers to ensure fair price for their crop, the AGHMPCS last year had a turnover of over Rs 6 crores, a jump of over 30% from the previous year. The target however is not only to double this by the next year but by 2028, AGHMPCS aims at least Rs 20 crores in projected revenue.
Over the past 3 years, AGHMPCS has bought over 840 MT of farm produce from across the 4 districts of Garo Hills (barring NGH). These products range from cashew nuts, ginger, nutmeg, betel, turmeric, black pepper among others. Through the three years it has been looking to expand and bring more farm produce under its blanket.
“We are being supported by the government and the MBMA but this resource is not enough to touch every farming community in the entire Garo Hills – which is our principal aim. If the right support is provided, we are sure our cooperative will be able to touch the lives of the entire farming community and make their lives so much better than what it is now,” stated secretary, Fr Sunny J Mavelil.
The target for now is to reach 15000 farmers in the next two years.
For this to happen, the AGHMPCS will require support from the state government as well as central assistance.
“The market for our goods is huge. We have the entire world to showcase the quality of products from Garo Hills. While we are yet to get organic certification (which is in the pipeline), we are sure about the healthy nature of our product. Given time and support, we are sure to make farming products from Garo Hills at par with the world in terms of quality,” added Joash Verghese, the head of operations.
Currently AGHMPCS has 5 branches across the 4 districts with another one set to opened soon in South West Garo Hills (SWGH). These branches or partner firms help in procurement as well as processing to an extent with the remaining items being sent to the Babadam office.
Another success of the AGHMPCS is the set up of a mustard oil processing unit in the plain belt in Rajabala (WGH) where 90 women are engaged. The unit has a capacity to produce 1 MT of mustard oil per day which is then sold in various markets in Garo Hills as well as outside the state.
Local turmeric has also been tested with the quality being found to be just below that of Lakadong variety.
The journey for AGHMPCS and its founders has been emotional and will continue to be so for years to come.
“I have been here since 1991-92 and have the turmoil that was Garo Hills now. As a member of BAKDIL, we tried to help better community life in the region but despite the efforts, it was not really making much impact. The reason being that financially, many of those we touched, were not strong enough,” said Fr Sunny.
He further narrated instances where he saw the unscrupulous ways in which traders from Assam dominated the market and fixed prices according to them. These traders even took advantage of problems faced by families, offering them money before taking over their plantations for years on. This ensured the ultimate beneficiary was the trader and not those that produced.
“We are here to change that and with time and support, we are sure we can achieve our goal. Every farmer, SHG and business associate is a stakeholder in AGHMPCS and our goal is to make everyone from the farming community our shareholders. We believe we are on our way to do so,” added an emotional Fr Sunny.
Testimonials of farmers
Bisen Marak, Asimgre: I have been doing black pepper plantation for several years. I have got substantial yield of black pepper corns. Earlier when we sold our produce in the market we use to sell them at very low prices. But now that we have this All Garo Hills Multi-purpose Cooperative Society, it has really helped us get good returns for our products.
Hanak D Sangma (village not mentioned): We used get only about Rs.50 – Rs 60 per kg when we sold cashews from our plantation in local markets. But with the help of the Society we are being able to sell at a much better price. I have sold at least up to 10 quintals with the help of the Society and since it has helped us get better prices, I have now joined the Society and work with them.
Harmony A Sangma, Romba Ading: Since 2023-2024 with the assistance from All Garo Hills Multipurpose Cooperative Society, I have been able to get good returns for my ginger cultivation and other products. The society has helped us improve our standard of life in many ways.
Jacob N Sangma, Buripara: With the help of the Society we have started coffee, cashew and cocoa cultivation. I am grateful to the Society as It has provided for every household to take up these cultivations for our livelihood.
Norimchi A Sangma, Dumindagre: Thanks to All Garo Hills Multipurpose Society, now we are able to sell our produce from our homes at good price. We no longer have to go to the markets to sell our products because the Society collects them from our doorsteps.
Norojini D Sangma, Balnanggre: We have a cashew plantation of about 8 bighas from which we get about 10 quintals of produce. But then we could never sell them at proper rates. But now through All Garo Hills Multipurpose Society we are able to sell them at a much better rate. We have also started additional plantation with the saplings provided by the society.
Renuka T Sangma: I am Renuka T Sangma, president of Chokchimsa Multipurpose Cooperative Society, which was started in 2021. We have 157 members. The All Garo Hills Multipurpose Cooperative Society has provided us coffee and cashew saplings. Through the Society we have also got cashew processing unit and we have 50 workers in the unit. We are thankful to the Society for its help in uplifting our village and our standard of living.
