SHILLONG, Aug 18: Taking into consideration the fall in production of agricultural crops and the cascading effect on farmers, the state government on Thursday announced that it has lifted the ban on use of fertilisers.
“We have decided to lift the ban on use of fertilisers imposed in 2014 to promote the organic mission. A notification in this connection has already been issued by the Agriculture department on August 9,” Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong told reporters.
According to him, the state government had taken this decision following a host of representations submitted by the farmers’ association from East Khasi Hills to both Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh.
Tynsong said a study by the Agriculture department found that the production of agricultural crops had reduced by 40-50% following the implementation of the organic mission.
“We are compelled to take this decision in the best interest of the farmers,” Tynsong said, while maintaining that the government is not doing away with the idea of promoting organic farming.
“This is a transition period. I hope with the help of technology we will able to find a permanent replacement for fertilisers,” he said.
He also said that the state government will create a separate quota for farmers of Meghalaya to ensure smooth supply of fertilisers to be routed through Meghalaya State Cooperative Marketing and Consumers’ Federation Limited which falls under the Cooperation department.
In addition, the government will also provide subsidy of 50% to farmers to purchase fertilisers.
“The Cooperation department will issue a notification in this regard next week,” he added.
