The border stretches for about 85 km. The main occupation of the local indigenous people is agriculture. However, lack of market linkage facilities is affecting rural households. During the pre-independence period, farmers were prosperous but post partition, things have changed as the flourishing trade of agricultural and horticultural produces came to a standstill. Lack of alternative means of survival has forced a section of people to take up illegal border trade activities which includes selling of fish, poultry, cosmetics, utensils and Chinese electronic gadgets.
Opening of border haats to benefit rural economy Gunme Marak, a border development officer said, “We have submitted a feasibility report to the Central Government on the opening of border trade in the district – Baghmara, Shivbari and Gasuapara,” adding, “If the haats along the border are opened, locals will be fully benefited.”
Marak also said, “For now, locals are cultivating mostly for their consumption. If border trade is opened, cultivation will be in full swing for business purposes". He also said that they will take up huge scale cultivation even without the assistance from the government. Gunme Marak observed that one of the main problems was lack of market facility and transport communication which has discouraged farmers to cultivate.
“South Garo Hills is the largest producer of cashew nuts and rubber in Meghalaya and the lack of market facility has encouraged middlemen from neighbouring Assam like Mankachar to exploit the situation. They buy commodities at a very low price,” disclosed Marak. “The discouraging experiences have forced farmers to slowly abandon cultivation coupled with the lack of market and transport facilities,” he said. “Value addition to various agri and horti products could have been done which would have encouraged farmers, but this is also not there,” Marak opined. Rohansing Sangma, a resident of Baghmara said, “Though the border is sealed, farmers manage to sell agricultural and horticultural produces but the volume of the trade is very low.”
Sohartho Marak, another local youth said, “The free border trade is officially not in existence as the border is manned to check influx and other illegal activities but goods from Bangladesh illegally imported are easily available in the markets.” “If border haats are opened, it will benefit the rural economy of the region as most of the indigenous population depend mainly on agriculture”, said S R Sangma, another local resident.
In the local markets of Rongara, Siju and Baghmara, Bangladeshi goods are everywhere to be found. The fish and poultry available are also from the neighbouring country. Reported cases of confiscation by security personnel is leading to decline in the trade as traders suffer huge loss with many preferring to discontinue.
However, there is a section of traders who have to engage in this trade for the sole reason of there being no alternative means of survival. The Chinese hybrid fish, soap, potato chips, juices and cosmetics are high in demand here. Traders say that the goods are being brought by traders from Bangladesh illegally crossing the border.
Traders from the other side also take away goods from India like sugar, salt and horticultural produce like fruits. Most electronic goods available here are from China. These are cheap quality electronic gadgets called 'dumped goods' and are sold at higher prices with traders doing good business. The buyers say that the products are good and priceless.