SHILLONG: The Meghalaya State Unit of the National People’s Party (NPP) Farmers’ Front has voiced concern over the steep decline in prices of agricultural produce, especially cabbage and radish, after discussions with farmers and vegetable traders on Wednesday.
Farmers’ Front General Secretary Egenstar Kurkalang told the media that traders from Iewduh and other markets reported weakening demand for Meghalaya’s vegetables in major markets such as Siliguri and Upper Assam.
According to traders, buyers in these regions are increasingly sourcing vegetables from Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, where prices are lower, while Lower Assam markets are meeting demand with locally produced vegetables, compounding the decline in Meghalaya’s sales.
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Kurkalang urged the state government to identify and develop new markets for Meghalaya’s agricultural produce, particularly in border areas.
He also called for more robust measures to improve the transportation and distribution of Meghalaya’s vegetables across the country and to explore opportunities in international markets.
He emphasized that the issue of falling vegetable prices is not unique to Meghalaya, noting that collective action by farmers, traders, and the government is essential to secure better returns for farmers and minimize recurring losses.
(4FrontMedia news)
