Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 20 2010:
Agriculture Department officials conducted a trial run for a new equipment called Power Weeder in the paddy fields of Yumnam Huidrom today.
The equipment is an essential machine which is to be used in the weeding of paddy fields where System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method is implemented.
Regarding the trial run, SES Manoranjam said that the new equipment is not fully compatible to the soil of the State paddy fields.
Some parts of the machine are needed for rectification as soil of the State paddy fields is hard, he added.
He also said that the department had earlier provided Kono Weeders of 4 and 5 inches to farmers.
ICDP Rice incharge L Ibomcha said that clearing of weeds/grass with Power Weeder is a must in the succesfull implementation of SRI method.
Ibomcha added that the method is currently implemented in 10 hactares for the first season.