SHILLONG, July 22: Cheaper produce from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland in West Bengal markets and higher local production in Lower Assam have affected vegetable prices in Meghalaya.
The Meghalaya unit of the National People’s Party (NPP) Farmers’ Unit found this out after meeting farmers and vegetable traders to identify the causes behind the market slump and explore measures to protect farmers’ livelihoods.
The interaction followed growing concerns over the sharp decline in the prices of agricultural produce in Meghalaya, with cabbages reportedly selling at Rs 2 per kilogram. Radish, too, is selling at throwaway prices.
Led by chairman H.M. Shangpliang and general secretary Egenstar Kurkalang, the Farmers’ Front met traders from Iewduh and other markets after interacting with farmers over the past few days to better understand the factors responsible for the price crash.
Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Kurkalang said traders informed the delegation that the demand for vegetables from Meghalaya has fallen significantly in major markets such as Siliguri in West Bengal and parts of Upper Assam, as buyers are now sourcing produce from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland at more competitive prices.
He added that markets in Lower Assam are also purchasing fewer vegetables from Meghalaya because of adequate local production, further reducing demand for the state’s produce.
“The traders told us that the demand from outside the state has declined. Buyers are getting vegetables at better prices from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, while Lower Assam is relying on its own produce. This has directly affected the prices received by farmers in Meghalaya,” Kurkalang said.
He urged the state government to explore new marketing avenues by establishing agricultural markets along border areas and creating alternative channels for farmers to sell their produce.
Kurkalang said the decline in vegetable prices is not a new phenomenon and has recurred over the years, recalling that similar situations in the past had forced farmers to dump their produce due to the absence of buyers.
“We do not want farmers to relive the hardships of previous years when vegetables had to be discarded because they could not be sold. The solution requires collective efforts from farmers, traders, consumers and the government,” he said.
The NPP Farmers’ Front maintained that no single stakeholder should be blamed for the present crisis, stressing that a coordinated approach is needed to strengthen the state’s agricultural marketing system.
According to Kurkalang, the issue is not confined to Meghalaya, with several other states also witnessing a decline in vegetable prices.
He further disclosed that the matter was discussed during a recent meeting with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, where various stakeholders deliberated on long-term measures to address the recurring problem.
Among the proposals under consideration are the establishment of more agricultural markets, particularly in border areas, expansion of marketing networks to other parts of the country, and the promotion of agricultural exports to international markets.
The Farmers’ Front also plans to submit recommendations to the state government on introducing new strategies to modernise agricultural marketing and improve returns for farmers across Meghalaya.
