Shillong, Feb 20: Amlarem legislator Lahkmen Rymbui has demanded minimum support price to betel nut growers in the state.
During the question hour, the UDP MLA said the price of arecanut has come down drastically and this has led to more production but less income to the farmers.
In reply, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma Tuesday said the government will examine the proposal for the minimum support price.
Rymbui also referred to a notification issued by the Centre in 2020 fixing the minimum support price for arecanut at Rs 200.
Rymbui also asked the government to set up processing unit in Amlarem to promote arecanut production and marketing.
Conrad said two out of 46 processing units have been set up in Amlarem and close to Rs 41 lakh investment has been made apart from Rs 1 crore, which was already made.
Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Ampareen Lyngdoh said 46 processing units consisting of working shed, de-husking machines, solar tunnel dryers and soaked pits are being set up across 21 blocks in 10 districts. Total cost of these is Rs 14.06 crore.
34 units have been completed and the remaining 12 units will be completed in the coming months.
She said 10 lakh interest free working capital loan for aggregation and marketing of arecanut has been given to each of the 46 cooperatives.
Ampareen said areca nut is one of the items that the department of agriculture wil be focusing in the years to come in response to
a supplementary question raised by UDP legislator from Mawkyrwat Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, who wanted to know if arecanut will be considered as an export item.
