Fresh Off The Market

The vision behind the farmers’ markets organized by NESFAS is much more than fresh and organic produce

- Tanushree Rabha

In the last couple of years, people around the globe have come to realize the importance of organic food and India is no different. Especially in the Northeast, the government has been actively encouraging more and more framers to switch to organic. In fact, Sikkim was declared as the first fully organic State in 2018. The other states are not very far behind, with Meghalaya putting special focus on closing the gap between farmers and buyers through farmers’ markets.

North East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS) in Meghalaya undertakes various endeavours to bring to light the traditional practices and produce of tribal farmers from the region. One such initiative that has gained popularity is the Mei-Ramew Farmers’ Market. ‘Mei-Ramew’ literally translates to ‘Mother Earth’ in Khasi. Initiated in April of 2017, the monthly market is a part of a larger objective to promote organic farming while preserving biodiversity.

Closing the Gap

Alethea Kordor Lyngdoh, Associate at Communications, NESFAS, shared that the Society provides a platform for local farmers to come in direct touch with the consumers. ‘It all started with organising food festivals and getting in touch with the local farmers.’ Since the market is also aimed at preserving the agrobiodiversity of the region, the food items sold in the farmers’ market are produced with the help of indigenous knowledge systems of the communities.