By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 21: Agriculture Minister Timothy D Shira on Thursday said Meghalaya has been steadily expanding its organic farming programme with support from the Centre, as he stressed that chemical fertilisers were not being encouraged in areas officially identified for organic cultivation.
Responding to questions on the state’s organic farming policy and concerns over the reported use of fertilisers in certain areas, Shira clarified that government-supported organic farming zones were relying on natural inputs and bio-manure rather than chemical fertilisers.
He said farmers participating in these initiatives were using organic methods and locally available manure sources for cultivation.
The agriculture minister said that Meghalaya has already brought around 60 per cent of its targeted area under organic farming coverage, while the remaining areas would be gradually incorporated in phases.
According to him, the expansion process requires what he described as a “conversion stage”, during which farmers are first sensitised and convinced to shift towards organic cultivation practices.
He explained that during this transition period, officials assess the amount of land available with farmers and determine the level of financial assistance and incentives to be provided under the scheme.
The government, he added, was proceeding gradually to ensure that farmers adapt properly to organic practices before larger areas are brought under coverage.
Shira also highlighted the role being played by cooperative societies in strengthening organic farming and improving market access for cultivators.
Referring to cooperatives he had recently visited, the minister said many farmers no longer need to personally transport their produce to distant markets because the cooperatives now procure products directly and ensure better prices.
Shira said some of these cooperatives were involved not only in collection and marketing but also in processing activities such as powdering and packaging turmeric and other produce. According to him, several agreements had also been entered into for supplying organic products to markets outside the state and even abroad.
He reiterated that the government intends to gradually expand organic cultivation to more areas while ensuring farmers receive the necessary technical guidance and financial support during the conversion process.
Broomstick prices still low despite MSP: Shira
Meanwhile, Shira said that while the people of the state remain heavily dependent on rice as their staple food, production levels have largely remained stagnant over the years due to climatic and geographical limitations.
He explained that cultivation continues across many parts of the state, but productivity is constrained in several areas because of cool climatic conditions and differences in soil fertility.
According to him, some areas possess fertile land capable of better production while others struggle to produce sufficient yield despite cultivation efforts.
He said there has neither been any drastic increase nor major decline in rice production over the years because farmers continue cultivating roughly the same areas of land under similar environmental conditions.
Shira also dismissed concerns that rapid urbanisation and infrastructure expansion were significantly reducing farmland in the state. He maintained that agricultural land had not been severely affected by development activities and insisted that cultivation activities continue in most farming regions.
With regard to broomstick farming, he said the government’s intervention through the minimum support price (MSP) mechanism for broomstick growers was intended to partially cushion farmers from losses caused by the prolonged slump in broom grass prices, while asserting that no major complaints had so far been officially brought to his notice by cultivators.
Responding to queries on the continued low market value of broomstick despite earlier assurances from the government, Shira said the MSP initiative had already been introduced to support growers and compensate them “to some extent” for losses suffered due to depressed prices.
However, he maintained that he had not personally received complaints from broomstick cultivators regarding the functioning of the scheme or the prevailing market conditions.
The agriculture minister indicated that the government could review the situation in the future if widespread grievances emerged from farmers. He said that as of now, there had been no significant representations from broom growers demanding further intervention from the department.
On the issue of areca nut cultivation, Shira acknowledged that the butt rot disease had affected plantations in several parts of the state, particularly in areas located along the southern belt bordering Bangladesh.
He said regions in South West Khasi Hills and other southern slopes were among those witnessing the impact of the disease, though he clarified that the infestation was not affecting entire districts uniformly but was limited to certain pockets and clusters.
According to the agriculture minister, the government has already activated district-level committees to assess the extent of crop losses and monitor the situation.
He said the deputy commissioners of the respective districts were heading these committees, which also include officials from concerned departments and other stakeholders. Their role, he said, is to determine the scale of damage, identify vulnerable areas and recommend suitable measures to contain and eradicate the disease.
Shira also informed that the committees had been instructed to remain active and vigilant in dealing with the issue. He added that the government was closely observing the developments and collecting reports from affected regions to assess the extent of losses suffered by areca nut cultivators.
