SHILLONG: The Hill Farmers Union (HFU) staged a protest on Thursday by distributing cabbage to the public free of cost to draw attention to the sharp decline in the prices of agricultural produce.
HFU president Commander Shangpliang said the demonstration reflected the deep distress among farmers due to falling market rates, particularly for cabbage.
Shangpliang said when prices crash to such an extent, selling the produce becomes almost meaningless as it is practically the same as giving it away for free. He added that the distribution was intended to show the public and the government how badly farmers are suffering.
He said cabbage is currently being sold at just Rs. 2 per kg, a price that does not even cover production costs. Shangpliang explained that if the input cost, including wages, is Rs. 10 per kg, the selling price should not be lower than that, adding that farmers should at least earn a small profit. The union has demanded a minimum price of Rs. 11 per kg for cabbage.
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The HFU urged the government to constitute a committee to assess the actual cost of production, including wages and other inputs.
The union also called for the implementation of a Market Intervention Scheme for all agricultural produce. Under the scheme, the government would compensate farmers for the difference between the cost of production and the market price.
Shangpliang said if the cost of production is Rs. 10 per kg and the market price is Rs. 2 per kg, the government should compensate farmers with the remaining Rs. 8 to prevent losses. He added that the government had implemented a similar mechanism earlier for broomsticks and expressed hope that the same support would be extended to cabbage and other crops.
Shangpliang also said farmers are struggling to meet household expenses, particularly with rising school fees. He said farmers have families and children to support and that many are finding it extremely difficult even to feed their families.
