Shillong: The introduction of the freight train service from Mendipathar has brought significant economic benefits to the farming community of Meghalaya, especially in Garo Hills. Agriculture Minister Timothy D. Shira highlighted how the service has enabled farmers to sell their produce at better prices and avoid wastage.
Shira cited the example of jackfruit (sohphan), which sells at around ₹400 per kilo at Jail Road in Shillong but costs only ₹10 per kilo in Garo Hills. With the railway link, farmers can now transport their goods directly to Guwahati, where they fetch much higher returns. “One woman farmer managed to sell a full sack of jackfruit at ₹20 per kilo in Guwahati and within an hour, it was completely sold out,” Shira said.
Farmers are now able to market various crops such as banana (kait), and jackfruit without incurring heavy losses. Shira further explained that the train service has reduced the compulsion of discarding unsold produce and has opened up new market opportunities for rural cultivators.
On the issue of outsiders entering the state via railway routes, the minister clarified that while many non-residents come to purchase produce at Mendipathar, they do not settle permanently since locals do not sell land to them. However, he admitted that West Garo Hills remains vulnerable due to landowners there being less cautious, allowing outsiders to illegally settle over time.
Shira assured that the government is actively engaging with agriculture officers to explore new avenues for farmer welfare, improve supply chains, and further strengthen the agrarian economy of Meghalaya.
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