Northeast Desk, 20th February: The Meghalaya government has announced its intention to establish a minimum support price (MSP) for arecanut in the near future. This decision is geared towards safeguarding the interests of farmers and stabilizing market prices for the crop.
While the specific details of the MSP, including the exact price and implementation timeline, are yet to be disclosed, the move is expected to provide significant benefits to arecanut farmers in the region. It will offer them a guaranteed price and protect them against potential price crashes.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, addressing the matter on his social media handle, stated, “Government has taken various interventions to support the farmers in the State. On the issue of fixing a minimum support price (MSP) for arecanut, as a government, we will examine the matter. It is our endeavor to promote farmers’ welfare.”
Earlier this month, CM Conrad Sangma inaugurated 13 arecanut processing units under the initiative, Meghalaya NEXT. This initiative aims to boost the agricultural sector and empower local farmers by increasing the production and processing capacity of arecanut, a significant cash crop in Meghalaya.
Furthermore, the Meghalaya government launched MegARISE in Tura, a project focused on the protection of vulnerable catchment areas in the State. CM Sangma highlighted the project’s significance, emphasizing its role in safeguarding critical catchments that serve as lifelines for densely populated cities like Shillong and Tura.
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