Agri Dept strives for self-sufficiency
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, May 08 2016: The Agriculture Department has been implementing certain schemes and flagship programmes for improvement in production and productivity in the agriculture sector in the State with a view to attaining self sufficiency in agriculture.

With the relentless efforts and support of the Department, there has been an increase in the net agricultural area of the State from 222.51 lakh hectare to 234.12 lakh ha in the last 15 years, covering up to 10.48% of the total geographical area of the State, which in turn brought a remarkable increase in cropping intensity from 121.61% in 2001-02 to 151.90% in 2015-16 .

The production of paddy has risen from 4,39,000 MT to 5,97,670 MT during the last 15 years with a productivity of 2680 Kg/ha against the National Average of 2177 Kg/ha.

(2010-11) .

Production of pulses has also improved from 16,450 MT in 2001-02 to 29,440 MT in 2015-16.The hectare-wise yield of pulses rose from 750 Kg/ha in 2001-02 to 950 Kg/ha in 2015-16 against the National Average of 537 Kg/ha (2010-11) .

During the last 15 years, the total area under maize cultivation has been expanded from 16500 ha to 26720 ha resulting in a growth in the production of maize from 33160 MT to 61560 MT.

The yield of maize has also been upgraded from 2010 Kg/ha to 2300 Kg/ha against the National Average of 1959 Kg/ha (2010-11).The productions of oilseeds and potato have also been increased from 15210 MT to 31780 MT and 62,040 MT/ha to 1,29,170 MT/ha respectively during the last 15 years.

So far, the Department has taken up various techniques and development measures to improve agricultural production and productivity.

System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in paddy, and Zero Tillage in mustard have also been successfully introduced in the State.

The Department had also introduced 2 (two) High Yielding Variety of Rice namely Gin- Phou and Pari-Phou at Rice Research Station, Wangbal, Thoubal district for increasing the production and productivity.

A new Soil Testing Laboratory has been set up inside the District Agriculture Office Complex, Porompat, Imphal East, for testing soil samples.

In addition to this, 3 (three) Mobile Soil Testing vans have been launched for testing soil samples with each van covering areas of three districts.

Moreover, a Plant Health Clinic and a new Farmer Advisory System have also been introduced for disseminating knowledge of plant protection to farmers of the State for increasing production and productivity.

Besides, the department has implemented certain flagship programmes like Rashtrya Krishi Vikash Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Crop Insurance Scheme, National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), and National Mission for Oilseed and Oil Palm, etc., for the welfare of the farmers to increase production and productivity in the State.

The Department has also enacted Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) for strengthening the extension reform in each district of the State.

Under this scheme, 56 nos.of Block Technology Managers (BTM), 82 nos.of Assistant Technology Managers (ATM), 7 nos.of Computer Programmers and 10 nos.of Accountants have been employed.

The Department has constructed the Office Building of SAMETI at the Office Complex of Directorate of Agriculture, Sanjenthong, Imphal East and a new Farmers' Training Hall at the District Agriculture Office Complex, Porompat, Imphal East, for conducting training programmes of farmers of all the districts under the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) .

One Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) has also been established at Wangbal, Thoubal district.

This organization has organised a number of training at farmers' level and has taken up front line demonstration programmes for the welfare of the farmers for increasing production.

Acknowledging the efforts and achievements of the department, the Union Government has awarded 'Krishi Karman Award' to the Department of Agriculture, Manipur consecutively in the year 2011-12 and 2012-13 for increasing rice production in the State.

In spite of the rapid advancement in crop productivity, the high rate of population growth still poses a challenge to the Department's objective of attaining agricultural self sufficiency.

Hence, the Department of Agriculture, Manipur is putting in all its efforts and resources to achieve agricultural self sufficiency in the State sooner than later.

Comment