Broom grass growers in State facing crisis

From A Reporter

SHILLONG, March 23: Broom grass growers in Meghalaya are facing a crisis as the prices of broomstick in the market in on the decline.

Broom grass (Thysanolae latifolia), an important minor forest produce of Meghalaya is produced mainly in Ri-war region including Ri-war Jaintia hills and most of the farmers are dependent on the cultivation of broom grass.

After cultivating the product many of the farming households are able to send their children to school and look after the need of their family from the money generated from selling the broom grass, however the price of the broom grass has decreased 2-3 folds from lakhs to Rs. 37-40 thousands per kwintal. As per information collected, this year after the ban on coal mining by the tiol Green Tribul (NGT), even the coal mine owners have started farming the product in War Jaintia region.

When asked by this scribe on the reason for the decrease in prices of broom grass, a broom grass trader said the reason is because the product is currently in plenty, however if the product is in short supply the price will go up.

According to him, due to decrease of broom grass prices in the market most the farmers are forced to leave the product to rot as the expenditure to look after the product is far greater than the income received from selling the broom grass.

The trader informed that the in War Jaintia the prices of broom grass deferrers which have caused confusion among the farmers.