Bishnu Rana

HAWAI, Jan 6: Anjaw district once had the dubious distinction of producing highest opium in the state but in the recent years it has managed to shed this tag thanks to concerted effort by the government to introduce alternative cropping especially large cardamom and kiwi. However, not everything is rosy for progressive farmers as they claim that their hard work and good harvest is going to waste due to poor marketing and lack of government support resulting in falling prices.
“Large cardamom the prime alternative crop to opium has been at the receiving end due to negligence of the government. In the year 2015 and 2016 cardamom prizes soared up to Rs 2000-Rs 1500 and farmers received exceptional price encouraging them to cultivate large cardamom and vast Anjaw hills were completely brought under its cultivation. Unfortunately, since 2017 the prices of cardamom has drastically fallen to Rs 250- Rs 280 per Kg,” informs Ritemso Manyu, a progressive farmer of Borfu in Hayuliang circle.
The situation is the same for another alternative crop, the kiwi.

At Hawai circle, Soflap Pul, a progressive farmer has brought considerable area under kiwi cultivation and is the highest grower of the fruit in the district. However, lack of market and government support is deeply troubling him.

 “I have 4 to 5 acres under kiwi cultivation and harvested 1.5 ton this year but sadly there is no market. The Horticulture department is least bothered to facilitate proper outlet which is discouraging,” he laments.
Manyu who also owns 1 acre under kiwi cultivation produced a good harvest of 1000 Kg this season but is disappointed at receiving no help from the department.
 “Kiwi flourishes in Anjaw because of good altitude and climatic condition but the huge production requires proper outlet and marketing to get a good price for the hard work. The department should facilitate proper promotion of the production,” he said.
Farmers are now worried that government apathy and low prices might compel them to shift towards opium cultivation.
The government talks much about alternative crops but marketing and other support is hardly visible. A little support could have encouraged farmers, however the department is paying no heed to the farmers of the opium affected district, said another local farmer.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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