Mobilizing the Ramie Grass Community in Meghalaya

In most tribal communities the menfolk are engaged in harder physical labour like house building, hunting, fishing and travel for new kinds of work.

Women look after the household and children, but spend most of their day in the fields. It is considered a community activity where all family units in villages help each other.

A common sight on the compound walls on the streets of Tura are hand-paintings celebrating Jesus Christ.

Some unique graphics can be seen all over town and these walls also make a backdrop for the market on the streets.

One can find farmers traveling from their farms towards frequently travelled roads, carrying their produce in bamboo baskets and finding spots on roadsides to sell their wares.

A popular fruit besides the jackfruit is the pineapple, used widely in local cuisine.

Besides different varieties of bananas, pineapples, a local variety of melons is widely sold in the market.

The locals use this melon to make curries and is a popular accompaniment for local rice.

The Ramie crop is grown under the shade of other trees like betel and jackfruit, growing together in the same plot of farm.

The surrounding farmers also grow millet, melon, vegetables, tapioca and rice. The produce in the entire region is entirely organically grown.

The plant is still consumed by the locals in the form of curries and snacks. Every part of the plant can be used in some way; the stalk to make fibre and the leaves for consumption.

The waste from the fibre extraction process is used for composting and for cattle fodder as it has a 16% protein content that helps give better milk.

It is also used for medicinal purposes to treat Hepatitis B, ulcers, antiseptics for snake bites and other such local remedies. Rhizomes of the plant help with relieving stomach pain.

Waste material can be used to make plywood and paper and as a media for mushroom cultivation.

The fibre extracted from the crop is the strongest and longest (up to 3 meters) natural fibre in the world. The fibre is used world-wide to make parachutes.

Besides making fabric, the fibre is also used in the Indian rupee note for strength.

The fabric made from the fibre has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. It is indeed a little known, hitherto much neglected wonder plant.

Bryan Marak, Assistant Manager, Basin Development Authority, speaking with the farmers and area officers in the Gosingpita area of North Garo hills on issues and initiatives related to the Ramie crop.

The efforts of district officers and their involvement with the local community have enabled the project of further developing Ramie grass for better use and higher returns.

The Indian government was importing 1000 metric tons of the fibre per year from China. Since it was easily grown locally focused farming of the Ramie crop began.

The work is overseen by the District Horticultural officers and the Basin Development Agency of the Meghalaya government.

Beronica R Marak, Consultant with the Natural Resource Management, Basin Development Authority at Tura, is one of the pioneers of the Ramie crop- farm to fashion- project and works with farmers on multiple initiatives.

Meril N Sangma initiated the Ramie crop project along with Beronica R Marak and Mira Marak, State Consultant for Ramie and the District Horticultural Officer.

The farmers, decorticating unit operators, and local area officers at the farm and machine unit in Malchapara, Betasing, South-west Garo Hills.

This Ramie community is an example of how different sections can be brought together in development efforts that bring in technology to enhance their own traditional practices.

Read more about Ramie grass here:
-Working on Meghalaya’s Wonder Grass 
-The versatility of Ramie grass in Meghalaya 
-Fashion collaborates with Meghalaya’s Ramie grass