By The Editor
Majority of Meghalaya’s population comprising about 75per cent are engaged in agriculture and allied activities but due to lack of knowledge and modern techniques many are still adhering to old system of farming which is much less productive. Another handicap is ignorance of modern marketing facilities. Many farmers are therefore being exploited by middlemen who are well versed in modern marketing system while producers remain poor. In view thereof, central government has stepped in to assist cultivators in agricultural marketing by setting up regulated markets main purpose being fixing of Minimum Support Price (MSP). Most state governments and Union Territories have enacted the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC) Act to provide for regulation of agricultural produce markets which have greatly benefited producers and sellers at the wholesale level. Main purpose of these regulated markets is to protect from exploitation by intermediaries and also to ensure better prices as well as timely payment for their goods. But in the long run the system did not succeed because of bureaucratic style of functioning. Remedial measures were therefore introduced by authorities from time to time with some success.
Private entrepreneurs with government assistance have been conducting fairs and exhibitions for trading purposes. They are usually held on seasonal, annual or less frequent basis, so that surplus products may be advertised and sold thus attracting buyers even from distant areas. There are many kinds of fairs and exhibitions-agricultural, industrial, and livestock- and because of success they are at present becoming popular. To meet the changing needs APMC Act has been amended and the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC) has formulated model law on agricultural marketing for guidance and adoption by state governments so that the cultivators will be main beneficiaries. Provision has also been made in the Act for constitution of State Agriculture Produce Marketing Standards Bureaus. Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (DMI) under Ministry of Agriculture functions from its head office at Faridabad, Haryana and has regional offices throughout the country. For Northeast Region, regional office is at Guwahati, Assam with sub-office at Shillong and it is engaged in marketing research, surveys and planning, training of personnel in agricultural marketing, construction of rural godowns, development and extension of agricultural marketing infrastructure, grading and standardisation, advising states on regulation and management of agricultural produce markets, etc.
Broomstick farmers from Meghalaya are taking part in an exhibition in Navi Mumbai from March 8 to 19 where they showcase their produce with prospective buyers taking great interest since it directly connects them with buyers instead of depending on middlemen. Hilarius Mukhim, resident of Mawshut village under Bhoirymbong Block, Ri Bhoi district represents the Farmers Producer Organization (FPO). The FPO named Basuba Broomstick Producer Company Ltd is marketing broomsticks produced by farmers of the area. Rangjit Khongsar, who works in Mumbai and visitor at exhibition appreciated efforts made to popularise broomstick sale throughout the country. Ibansha Basaiawmoit, who also resides in Mumbai, lauded the attempts made by Meghalaya and wished success.