Cultivation of cooperatives could aid farmers

WITH THE PRICE OF GARLIC SPROUTS plummeting due to oversupply, some farmers in Henan province have reportedly discarded their harvest of garlic sprouts, a popular ingredient in many Chinese dishes. Beijing Youth Daily commented on Thursday:

The local governments in Henan have acted quickly to the overstock by pledging to set up a garlic association to nip oversupply in the bud. But what happened in Henan indicates once again how easy it is for farmers to fall prey to price fluctuations.

That some have urged the market to play its part at the cost of "non-market minded" farmers is hardly helpful. Farmers do not necessarily have to pay the price for being unaware of how the market works and when they should increase or reduce their production. Local agricultural officials are obliged to intervene if need be and guide farmers through these dark waters, rather than sit on the sidelines.