Shillong, Sept 16: The issue of farmers caught the attention of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly on Thursday after Mawsynram MLA, HM Shangpliang raised the matter about the losses suffered by farmers in the state and derailment of several livelihood in the last one year due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Raising a short duration discussion, Mawsynram MLA, HM Shangpliang lamented that the Government had assured of opening markets for farmers in the suburbs but no such markets were opened.

Stating that COVID has affected the livelihood of the farmers badly, he said there were even instances when farmers were harassed by the cops for transporting their produces without passes.

“The Government was nowhere when farmers needed Government the most,” he stressed while asking Government to come up with a separate budget for farmers which should be farmer centric.

Voices raised for welfare of farmers

Echoing similar views, Ampati MLA, Miani D Shira said the usual supply chain was affected during the pandemic and farmers were forced to sell their produces at throw away prices.
Opposition Chief Whip, PT Sawkmie also slammed the Agriculture Minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh, asking him to be serious even as he added that the Minister is seen making promises when there is hardly any budget in the department.

Several other MLAs also participated in the Short Duration Discussion and asked the government to take necessary measures for the welfare of the farmers.

1917 iteams to the aid of farmers

In reply, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma admitted that the last one and a half year has been a difficult phase for every one due to the COVID while informing that the government has constituted economic task force and even started a re-start Mission to ensure that the economy of people is revived.

Informing that the Agriculture department has initiated identification of alternative markets for the benefits of the farmers, he said the government has effectively used 1917 iteams for lifting farmers’ produces and the team made 700 trips for lifting 750 metric tonnes (MT) of produces of the farmers.

The fleet as of now has 20-30 pickup vehicles and government plans to increase it to 250 – 300.

He also said that in the month of May, 2184 MT of vegetables have been supplied to neighbouring states of Meghalaya and Assam, and in the month of June the state supplied 2234 MT of vegetables and 67 MT of fruits to neighbouring states.

The Chief Minister also informed that around 20 new prefab markets will be constructed throughout the state including Saipung, Laitkroh, Mylliem, Thadlaskein and other areas in 6 to 8 months and these markets will be run by farmers.