Pig farmers from the Bhoirymbong area of Meghalaya’s Ri-Bhoi district convened a meeting on Thursday to discuss the growing challenges affecting their livelihood and to seek assistance from the Hill Farmers Union (HFU). The farmers voiced serious concerns over the steep decline in pig prices and the inability to operate markets as smoothly as in previous years. They stated that the falling prices and unstable market conditions have placed immense financial pressure on farmers and livestock readers who rely on pig farming as their primary source of income, particularly to fund their children’s education.
The meeting, held in Bhoirymbong, was attended by the General Secretary of the HFU central body, Allfondbirth Kharsyntiew, the General Secretary of the Ri-Bhoi District unit, Pynshai Masharing, along with other members from the Bhoirymbong block. The farmers also highlighted their growing inability to repay bank loans due to mounting losses, describing the situation as deeply distressing for families dependent on agriculture and animal husbandry. Another major concern raised was the sharp increase in the cost of pig feed and veterinary medicines, which has significantly raised the cost of rearing pigs.
The farmers further pointed to the adverse impact of recurring swine diseases, which have severely affected productivity and compounded their financial difficulties.
Addressing the gathering, Allfondbirth Kharsyntiew, representing the HFU central body, assured the farmers that the Union, along with the affected growers, would take up the matter with the state government, particularly with the Minister in charge of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department. The farmers warned that if timely government assistance is not extended during this critical period, many families may face severe economic hardship, potentially forcing them to withdraw their children from school due to financial constraints.
