SHILLONG, July 22: The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Wednesday blamed the state government’s failure to develop a long-term agricultural strategy and a robust supply chain for the current crisis where farmers are being forced to sell cabbages for as little as Rs 2 per kilogram.
MPCC general secretary Manuel Badwar told reporters that the collapse in vegetable prices is a recurring issue that pushes farmers into financial distress annually. He argued that the Agriculture department already possesses data on crop acreage and production trends and should use it to forecast output and plan distribution before the harvest.
“The low prices are only a symptom. The real problem lies elsewhere,” Badwar said, adding that better planning could prevent excess production from flooding the market and driving prices below the cost of cultivation.
He noted that farmers often shift to crops that fetched high prices in the previous season, leading to oversupply the following year. Badwar suggested the Agriculture Department should engage with farmers to encourage crop diversification rather than allowing cultivation patterns to be driven solely by market trends.
While the government has promoted local produce through events like the Pineapple Festival, Badwar argued that branding is ineffective without an efficient supply chain. He pointed out that despite the quality of Meghalaya pineapples, their short shelf life makes timely transportation and market access essential.
“There is no point in telling people that Meghalaya has the best pineapples if consumers across the country cannot easily buy them,” he said.
The MPCC leader maintained that the state’s primary weakness is its value chain management. He urged the government to invest in storage facilities, transportation systems, and distribution networks to minimize post-harvest losses.
Additionally, Badwar called for a focus on food processing and value addition, such as canning, to improve farmers’ earnings. He recalled that the state once operated a food processing unit and suggested reviving such initiatives with private sector participation to increase the market value of local produce and reduce wastage.
He concluded by stating that strengthening infrastructure and marketing networks is essential to ensure Meghalaya’s agricultural products reach both national and international markets, providing better returns for the state’s farmers.
