Meghalaya's oranges,strawberries find market route to Bdesh

Shillong, Apr 26 : Meghalaya's famed oranges and the juicy strawberries of the hills will soon find its way to neighbouring Bangladesh through a local newly revived traditional 'border haat' at Balat, officials said today. "The inclusion of these agricultural items was made possible after officials of both the countries agreed that apart from the five kilometer radius, produce of the concerned district of designated haats will be allowed to be traded through the border haat," D M Wahlang, Chairman Balat Haat Management Committee (HMC) told PTI. The recently notified order from the Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), NER said, "locally produced garments, melamine products, processed food items, fruit juice etc., produced in the concerned districts of the designated haats will be allowed to be traded at the haats." According to the HMC official, since strawberry and oranges are produced in East Khasi Hills district (the concerned district in which Balat falls), these produce could get their way to Bangladesh through the border haat. At present, Meghalaya is sixth producer of strawberries and is generally grown in Ri-Bhoi district and is a leading producer of the Khasi mandarin type of oranges. The new haat through Balat will significantly reduce distance, travel time of the perishable commodity and transportation cost for the farmers, officials of the HMC said.