SHILLONG, SEPT 14: The Hill Farmers Union (HFU) on Monday warned of further agitation if the Meghalaya government refuses to compensate piggery farmers affected by African Swine Fever (ASF), even as Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma expressed difficulty in providing compensation and waiving loans taken under the Piggery Mission.
An HFU delegation led by its president, Commander Shangpliang, met the Chief Minister days after the union staged a protest march with pigs in Shillong to demand government intervention over the ASF outbreak.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Shangpliang said the delegation discussed the establishment of veterinary checkpoints, health-screening and quarantine centres, compensation for affected farmers and waiver of Piggery Mission loans.
According to him, the Chief Minister indicated that the government would examine the proposals for checkpoints and quarantine facilities, although no firm assurance was given.
On compensation and loan waiver, Shangpliang said the Chief Minister had cited difficulties but assured the delegation that the matter would be discussed internally with departmental officials. The union, however, maintained that it would not remain silent if affected farmers were denied compensation. “We have stressed that compensation should be paid to piggery farmers. We will not keep quiet if the government does not compensate them,” Shangpliang said.
The HFU blamed the outbreak on the alleged unregulated import of pigs into Meghalaya. Shangpliang claimed that in the absence of proper veterinary checkpoints, livestock was entering the state without health screening. He alleged that police personnel were checking vehicles and collecting money while allowing pigs to enter without veterinary examination. He said proper health checks could help identify infected animals and place them under quarantine before they spread the disease.
Shangpliang also questioned the practicality of livestock insurance during an ASF outbreak. He said insurance claims generally require photographs and postmortem examinations, but veterinary doctors were allegedly reluctant to visit affected farms. He added that farmers often bury infected pigs before they die to prevent the disease from spreading, making it difficult for them to fulfil insurance requirements.
The union argued that farmers whose pigs died, particularly beneficiaries of the Piggery Mission, would be unable to repay their loans and should therefore receive compensation and loan waivers. The delegation also discussed Meghalaya’s proposed Agriculture Policy. Shangpliang said the Chief Minister informed them that the draft policy had been uploaded to the government’s website for public feedback.
The HFU urged farmers to study the draft and submit their suggestions to the department. According to Shangpliang, the policy is likely to be finalised and approved by October. The union also requested the Chief Minister to hold another meeting after consulting departmental officials so that farmers could provide further suggestions on preventing livestock diseases caused by the import of animals without proper health checks.
