Meghalaya aims to become largest organic farming coverage state: CM Sangma

Shillong, Aug 27 (IANS) Meghalaya is working to become the state with the largest organic farming coverage in the country, with the government seeking to gradually reduce and eventually eliminate the use of chemical fertilisers, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said in the Assembly on Thursday.

Sangma said Meghalaya was currently in a transition phase, with the government promoting alternatives such as bio‑fertilisers while encouraging farmers to adopt soil‑testing‑based farming practices.

He added that the larger message was that Meghalaya and the world were trying to move towards organic farming, with the government’s objective being to discourage excessive dependence on chemical fertilisers.

He was responding to a question raised by Voice of the People Party (VPP) president and Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit regarding allegations that farmers were being compelled to purchase single super phosphate (SSP) at higher‑than‑notified rates.

Clarifying the pricing structure, Sangma said urea was available at a subsidised rate of Rs 266 per bag, while SSP was priced at Rs 800 per bag under the notified subsidy structure. He said its market price was around Rs 1,200.

The Chief Minister acknowledged that controlled availability could create opportunities for malpractice but said the government was conducting regular checks to prevent black marketing.

Agriculture Minister Timothy D. Shira said 129 inspectors were conducting regular inspections of fertiliser retailers. Retailers must prominently display government‑notified prices and record every sale on the Integrated Fertiliser Management System (iFMS), he said.

According to Shira, the digital tracking mechanism allows authorities to trace individual sales and identify irregularities. Directors of Agriculture and Horticulture have also been empowered to conduct random inspections, he said.

Sangma informed the Assembly that 1,432 surprise inspections had been carried out so far and warned that retailers found violating the rules could lose their licences. Farmers can also report overcharging through the CM Connect grievance mechanism, Shira said.

On alleged diversion of fertilisers outside Meghalaya and to Bangladesh, Shira said consumption remained low in Garo Hills, where many farmers continue to follow traditional natural farming practices.

Sangma said fertiliser use had also been restricted to notified areas as part of the state’s broader push towards organic agriculture.

–IANS

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