The Shillong Times – Meghalaya Mandi
Key Points
- Meghalaya Mandi is a digital marketplace launched by the Department of Soil & Water Conservation, Meghalaya.
- It aims to improve market access and price realization for cash-crop farmers.
- The platform connects farmers, aggregators, buyers and transporters.
- It covers all 12 districts of Meghalaya and more than 13 major cash crops.
- The initiative was scaled up from a five-month pilot project in North Garo Hills.
- During the pilot:
- 330 MT of agricultural produce was traded.
- About 800 farmers benefited.
- Generated ₹1.5 crore in business value.
- Farmers earned an estimated ₹78 lakh additional income.
- The pilot reportedly involved no expenditure from the government exchequer.
- Major crops highlighted include ginger, banana, pineapple, turmeric, Lakadong turmeric and oranges.
- A 13-MT banana consignment was sent to Himalayan Food Company, Jamshedpur, at a fixed price of ₹120 per bunch.
- The application was designed and coded by Dr. Joram Beda, Commissioner & Secretary, Soil & Water Conservation Department.
- The initiative is linked with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma’s vision of a $10-billion economy by 2028.
Practice MCQs
1. ‘Meghalaya Mandi’, recently launched in Meghalaya, is primarily aimed at:
A. Providing agricultural loans
B. Connecting farmers with markets and buyers
C. Providing free agricultural machinery
D. Promoting tourism
Answer: B. Connecting farmers with markets and buyers
Explanation: Meghalaya Mandi is a digital marketplace intended to improve market access and pricing for cash-crop farmers.
2. Meghalaya Mandi was launched by which department of the Government of Meghalaya?
A. Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
B. Department of Commerce and Industries
C. Department of Soil & Water Conservation
D. Department of Community & Rural Development
Answer: C. Department of Soil & Water Conservation
Explanation: Meghalaya Mandi was launched by the Department of Soil & Water Conservation, Meghalaya, to improve market access and price realization for farmers.
3. The statewide Meghalaya Mandi platform covers how many districts?
A. 10
B. 11
C. 12
D. 13
Answer: C. 12
Explanation: The platform connects farmers, aggregators, buyers and transporters across all 12 districts of Meghalaya.