Shillong: Several Meghalaya legislators on Wednesday demanded that minor forest produce like broomstick, bay leaf and wild black pepper be recognised as agricultural produce.

Raising the issue in the Assembly, Congress MLA from Mawsynram, Himalaya Shangpliang, said categorising these items as agricultural produce would open up livelihood opportunities for farmers. Highlighting the plight of farmers who cultivate broomstick, bay leaf and wild black pepper, he said the farmers toil hard by growing different crops to earn a livelihood but their hardship is endless.

"We should focus on generating more livelihood for our farmers," he said, urging the government to recognise forest produce like broomstick, bay leaf, wild black pepper and betel leaf plantations as agricultural produce.

He wondered why the government encourages bamboo plantation for people's livelihood but discourages grass broomsticks when both belong to the grass family.

He also highlighted the exploitation of farmers by middlemen and decline in prices of broomstick, bay leaf and wild black pepper over the past two years. "The attitude of middlemen towards the farmers is - you either sell your produce (at the price offered) or leave it," Shangpliang said, urging the government to come to the rescue of farmers.

Independent MLA from Mawphlang, S.K. Sunn, driving home the point, said strawberries growing in the wild are now recognised as a part of horticulture. Congress MLA from Umroi, George B. Lyngdoh, urged the government to regulate markets and properly map the number of farmers. MLAs Mayralborn Syiem, Zenith Sangma and Renikton took part in the discussion.

In his reply, agriculture minister Banteidor Lyngdoh said he was also concerned about the plight of farmers and would discuss the matter of exporting broomstick to neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and bringing it under agricultural produce with his department.

If these are listed as agriculture produce, farmers can get better price and market, benefits under various schemes and approach the government for financial aid. Moreover, they will not require transit pass to export the produce outside the state.