ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region Umiam organized a stakeholder meeting with the on “Current Status of Fertilizer Usage in Agriculture and the Strategies to Reduce its Application in Meghalaya” on 26 May 2026 with the higher and middle level officials of Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, Government of Meghalaya, field extension functionaries, input dealers, KVK personnel, FPOs and farmers. Director ATARI Umiam and Dean CPGS-CAU Umiam were also invited as the experts in stakeholders meeting.
        Dr. G. Kadirvel , Director ICAR RC NEH Umiam stated the objective of meeting and emphasized that minimizing fertilizer use would help reduce the economic burden on farmers while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. He further, mentioned that although fertilizer consumption in Meghalaya is comparatively lower than many other states but need to reduce its consumption further and to sensitize the stakeholders about balanced use of fertilizer. Assistant Director Agriculture ( Fertilizer), Govt of Meghalaya , Sh. Don Sohliya presented the current status of fertilizers in Meghalaya. Director ATARI , Dr. Mohanty emphasized the urgent need for the development of green manuring as an alternative to reduce the fertilizers application. It was also discussed that for ensuring balanced fertilization, the State Government should place fertilizer indents in a manner that enables farmers to receive inputs in the required quantity and at right time. During the meeting, participants discussed several important issues including season- and crop-wise fertilizer usage patterns during the past year, future fertilizer and manure requirements in Meghalaya and the need for systematic documentation. Discussions also focused on alternative approaches to reduce fertilizer usage, such as promotion of biofertilizers, bio-agents, green manures, organic manure from waste, biogas production, vermicompost, traditional liquid bio-formulations for natural farming, crop rotation, intercropping with leguminous crops etc. The officials of line department stressed the importance of strengthening biofertilizer production systems in every district to cater farmers’ needs. Emphasis was also laid on preparing short-term, medium-term and long-term strategies to reduce the fertilizer dependence. The stakeholders meeting served as an important platform for interaction among various stakeholders to identify the feasible strategies for promoting balanced use of fertilizer and reducing the fertilizer application in Meghalaya.