Meghalaya is working to become the state with the largest organic farming coverage in India, with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma announcing in the state Assembly on Thursday, 27 August that the government aims to progressively reduce and ultimately eliminate the use of chemical fertilisers. The declaration came as Sangma addressed concerns over fertiliser pricing and alleged malpractice in the state's distribution network.

Transition Towards Organic Agriculture

Sangma told the Assembly that Meghalaya is currently in a transition phase, with the government actively promoting bio-fertilisers and encouraging farmers to adopt soil-testing-based farming practices. He said the broader goal is to discourage excessive dependence on chemical inputs, aligning the state with a global shift towards sustainable agriculture.

He added that fertiliser use has been restricted to notified areas as part of the state's wider push towards organic agriculture. Notably, consumption remains low in Garo Hills, where many farmers continue to follow traditional natural farming methods, according to Agriculture Minister Timothy D. Shira.

Fertiliser Pricing and Allegations of Overcharging

The Chief Minister's remarks came in response to a question raised by Voice of the People Party (VPP) president and Nongkrem MLA Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit, who alleged that farmers were being compelled to purchase single super phosphate (SSP) at rates higher than the government-notified price.

Sangma clarified the pricing structure: urea is available at a subsidised rate of ₹266 per bag, while SSP is priced at ₹800 per bag under the notified subsidy structure, against a market price of approximately ₹1,200 per bag. He acknowledged that controlled availability can create openings for malpractice, but assured the House that regular checks are being conducted to prevent black marketing.

Enforcement Mechanisms in Place

Agriculture Minister Shira said 129 inspectors are conducting regular inspections of fertiliser retailers across the state. Retailers are mandated to prominently display government-notified prices and log every sale on the Integrated Fertiliser Management System (iFMS), a digital tracking platform that allows authorities to trace individual transactions and flag irregularities.

Directors of Agriculture and Horticulture have also been empowered to conduct random inspections. Sangma informed the Assembly that 1,432 surprise inspections have been carried out so far, warning that retailers found violating pricing rules risk losing their licences. Farmers can report overcharging through the CM Connect grievance mechanism, Shira added.

Concerns Over Diversion to Bangladesh

On allegations that fertilisers were being diverted outside Meghalaya — including to Bangladesh — Shira said the iFMS tracking system is designed to surface such irregularities. The low consumption figures in Garo Hills, he suggested, partly reflect the continued reliance on natural farming in that region rather than diversion alone.

What Comes Next

With enforcement infrastructure already in place and a stated ambition to lead the country in organic farming coverage, Meghalaya's next challenge is translating policy intent into measurable outcomes on the ground. The government's ability to scale bio-fertiliser adoption while keeping chemical inputs in check will determine whether the state's organic farming ambition moves from transition phase to verifiable achievement.