Minister assures to compensate drought-hit farmers
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 31 2022: Agriculture minister Thongam Biswajit has assured of payment of compensation to farmers whose crops have been affected by the drought-like situation prevailing in some of the districts due to lack of rainfall.

On Wednesday, Biswajit accompanied by a team of officials from the Agriculture Department inspected the agro-markets and warehouses, training hall cum hostels, being constructed in various districts under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.

Speaking on the sidelines, the agriculture minister informed that the ongoing construction of the agro markets at Phayeng Makha Leikai and Salam Thongkhong in Imphal West district will soon be completed and handed over to the people.

The warehouse and training hall cum hostel at Wangoi will also be able to benefit the people soon.

Most of the projects will be completed by September and the TP Cell officials have been instructed to complete the pending ones at the earliest so as to provide socio-economic benefits to the people, he added.

Responding to questions from media persons, Biswajit said that the Agriculture Department has been working for the welfare of the people.

Presently, due to scanty rainfall, some of the districts are facing drought and the farming activities have been affected.

As such, the department has provided electric water pumps to irrigate the fields.

For the fields which have dried up and cracked, steps have been taken up to award compensation to the farmers affected by such natural calamities under the Prime Minister Fasal Bima Yojana, he conveyed and urged the farmers to consult the department authority, district agriculture officer or visit the head office for assistance.

The minister then informed that there is enough buffer stock of fertilisers, while adding that the winter seeds would be distributed to the farmers in a timely manner.

Comment