Shillong, July 16: With cabbage prices plummeting to just ₹2 per kilogram, farmers from several villages, along with members of the Hill Farmers Union (HFU), distributed truckloads of cabbages free of cost to the public on Wednesday in protest against the sharp decline in market prices.
The HFU transported three pick-up truckloads of cabbages collected from the villages of Mawpyrshong, Mawlali, Thynroit and Thangsning, where many farmers had reportedly abandoned their harvests in the fields as the selling price had become too low to recover production costs.
The vegetables were first distributed at the premises of the State Central Library in Shillong, where passers-by and members of the public received them free of charge. Several residents also voluntarily donated money to support the farmers, preferring to contribute directly rather than see the produce sold at throwaway prices to traders.
Speaking to reporters, HFU president Commander Shangpliang urged the state government to constitute an Expert Committee to study the pricing of agricultural produce and provide immediate assistance to farmers through the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).
He said the current price of ₹2 per kg has pushed many farmers into severe financial distress, discouraging them from continuing cultivation. “The more they farm, the more they incur losses,” he said, stressing the need for government intervention to protect the farming community.
After the distribution at the State Central Library, the HFU members proceeded to Mawlai, where members of the public again contributed money by placing donations in a collection box for the affected farmers.
The remaining cabbages were later delivered to AW Thomas Girls Home at Jaiaw Lumsyntiew, where they were donated to the orphanage for the children under its care.
