By Philip Marweiñ
As Meghalaya celebrates 53 years of statehood, a harsh reality stares us in the face: our beloved state is still struggling to achieve food security for its burgeoning population of approximately 38 lakh people. The irony is stark – despite our progress, we remain heavily reliant on external sources for our daily bread, literally.
Rice, the staple food of our state, is a glaring example of this disparity. Our local rice production hovers between 162,300 mt to 135,000 mt annually, woefully inadequate to meet our annual requirement of 5.04 crore mt. This gaping chasm between demand and supply leaves us with a crippling rice deficit, forcing us to look outside our borders to satiate our hunger.
The situation is no better with other essential food items. Meat, eggs, vegetables, fish, soya beans, wheat, and wheat products – our plates are filled with goodies from outside Meghalaya. This dependence on external sources not only undermines our food security but also puts a strain on our economy.
As we navigate the complexities of food security, it’s essential to acknowledge the efforts of our farmers, who toil tirelessly to cultivate our land. However, it’s clear that more needs to be done to bridge the gap between our food production and consumption.
The question remains: what’s the way forward? How can we, as a state, achieve food security and self-sufficiency? The answers may lie in innovative farming practices, strategic planning, and a concerted effort from all stakeholders. As we move forward, it’s crucial that we prioritize food security, lest we risk perpetuating a cycle of dependence and hunger.
Meghalaya’s journey to food security is far from over. Let’s also acknowledge the challenges that lie ahead and pledge to work towards a future where every Meghalayan has access to nutritious, locally sourced food.
(The author is Consulting Editor of www.southasiaviews.com)
