Shillong: Five communities from Meghalaya gathered at All Saints Hall on Monday for the Mei-Ramew Farmers’ Market, which was organised by the North East Slow Food and Agrobiodiversity Society. The market showcased various chemical-free produce, wild edible plants and plants which were cultivated from the community members’ home gardens.
The five communities include Liarsluid from Ri-Bhoi, Nongpriang, Laitsohpliah, Mawhiang and Umsawwar, all from East Khasi Hills.
“This is the first time that we are participating in the Mei-Ramew Farmers’ Market and it is a great opportunity for us community members to come to the city to sell our goods,” Shongshit Khongphai, a 29-year-old farmer from Nongpriang, said. She added, “Today, I have learnt many things from the other farmers who are here to sell their vegetables and wild edibles. This is one of the many opportunities that we have received from NESFAS on how to make a better living.”
On the other hand, A W Thomas Girls Home, William Lewis Boys Home and New Hope Centre sold several Christmas goodies at the ‘Christmas Special’ stall. There were cards, decoration pieces, baked goods, mistletoes, show pieces and many more goodies showcased by members of these special homes.
Ribanshem Lyngdoh Mawnai, a ward at A W Thomas Girls home, said, “It is a great way to showcase our talents and show the world what we are capable of doing.” She added, “We have made all these items from recyclable materials like newspapers, plastic, etc. We have learnt how to make them through photographs and a bit of guidance from our mentors at the home.”
Apart from the vegetable and fruit stalls, NESFAS Kitchen also set up a food stall where they sold rice with fish and mustard leaves stew, smoked beef with pumpkin, mint chutney and radish leaves salad with pumpkin seeds.
The E’sal Meghalaya group also participated in the market where they set up a food stall that focused on indigenous dishes only. The menu included Gominda Wak (Pumpkin with Pork stew), Jakep, cabbage roll dumplings, orange salad with tapioca and mustard leaves and special brewed red tea.
