Govt asked to arrange fertilizers for farmers to start sowing activities Archives

Shillong, Apr 16: The state government has been asked to arrange fertilizers at subsidized rate to the farmers in the state.

In a letter to Agriculture Minister Banteidor Lyngdoh, UDP East Khasi Hills assistant general secretary, Egenstar Kurkalang informed that the present situation arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a great hardship to the farmers of the state in their preparation for sowing as well as harvesting.

Kurkalang said that the dertilizer is not available in the market.

He however said without chemical fertilizer, it is not possible to cultivate since the soil fertility in almost all parts of the East Khasi Hills is unbearable for its productivity for commercialization the agricultural produces of the farmers to meet their livelihood.

He also added that manure also couldn’t be transported from Shillong to agricultural fields despite being the essential ingredient for growing of vegetables or other crops.

“Therefore at this juncture,the only means that could be dealt with, is through government initiative and intervention, hence in order to reduce their burdens to some extend, I urged upon your honour to arrange the fertilizers especially of Urea (Neem Coated Urea)for supplying to the farmers at subsidized rate in this sowing season also in the next season through appropriate authority/ procedure,” Kurkalang said in his letter to the minsiter.

He further requested the state government to arrange a survey or inspection to provide financial assistant/package,scheme like State Disaster Response Fund/ National Disaster Response Fund (SDRF/NDRF) or any other schemes available from the government or any and other/others Schemes that the government deem fit and proper for the purpose to those farmers whose agricultural lands have been affected due to natural calamity.

He informed that many sowned crops (especially young off-shoot) like potato, cabbage, bean, tomato etc have been damaged due to heavy rainfall accompanied by extreme hailstorm in the last few days.

He said the areas affected included Smit area, Umphrup, Mawmuthoh, Mawpynthih, whole area of Elaka Laitlyngkot and other part of East Khasi Hills District.

According to him, this has caused a huge lost and damages to the farmers which may put their future at stake.