Business Association of Nagas comes to rescue of local farmers

BAN's temporary dispatch point for commodities at Duncan Basti. (Morung Photo)

Morung Exclusive
Dimapur | April 16

Amidst the nationwide lockdown owing to Covid-19 pandemic when local farmers are amongst the worst hit unable to market their produces, the Business Association of Nagas (BAN) has stepped in between the gap by buying their produces and selling them at wholesale price to different small time vendors, colonies, wards and villages.

Interacting with The Morung Express, BAN President, Vitho Zao said that the main objective of starting the initiative was to help the local farmers get fair price for their produces since they get bad deal in the wholesale market. “After the lockdown, it has become even more difficult for the farmers to sale their produces and that is why we decided to buy from them and bail them out of the situation,” he added.

Zao said the BAN is trying to cater to various colonies and villages including local entrepreneurs who are willing to help their colony people. He said the rates of local produces are as per prescribed rates fixed by the Dimapur Municipal Council.

BAN has also received permission from the Deputy Commissioner Dimapur to procure local produces from other district including Kohima, Wokha and Phek.  “When we get local products from these districts, we will also supply other essential commodities of dry ration to them as and when they demand,” Zao added.

He said since farmers cannot come to Dimapur and sell their produces during such times, the BAN has decided to reach out to other districts also to help them. 

BAN member, Akum that they were not bargaining much with the farmers so as not to exploit them but to give them fair price. He said the products are not sold to big businessmen but small time entrepreneurs to encourage community market. 

Another BAN member, Oka said big time businessmen tend to fleece the Naga people during such times and the Association stepped in to facilitate the local producers towards fair trade practice in the market. “We want to promote local people and we appeal for public support, churches and all other organizations towards this effort to support the local people,” he appealed. 

BAN General Secretary, Dr. Asangla Tzudir informed that if any local famers are unable to sell their produce from any district, they can contact the Association through mobile number 7005609377.

BAN members expressed disappointment at the district administration for not inspecting their activity even once except for issuing the permit. BAN acknowledged its senior members for assisting them financially and providing them godown spaces.

A local woman who has been buying vegetables from BAN and reselling it appreciated the role played by the Association at this difficult time. “I was running a canteen but due to lockdown my source of income halted. Initially, BAN provided me local produces on credit for the first two days and now with the profit I have started buying in cash from them. “BAN is doing a very good work,” she lauded.

BAN has set up its temporary dispatch point for commodities at Duncan Basti.