Imphal, February 14 2009: Agriculture Commissioner O Nabakishore has assured that there would be no shortage of fertilizer in the coming season unlike in the past.

Speaking to reporters during an inspection visit to the model seed village of Ithai yesterday, Nabakishore observed that Manipur is a fertile land with good climate as per international standards.

Ithai has been adopted as model seed village under Integrated Pest Management programme of Agriculture Department in coordination with the Plain and Hills Development Organisation.

Taking serious note of paddy fields laying vacant after the harvesting season, the Commissioner said that development of model seed villages is a step towards bringing a green revolution in Manipur.

Taking into account of the difficulties faced by farmers due to shortage of fertilizer in the past few years, the Government would be taking up necessary steps to ensure that fertilizers are available to farmers adequately, Nabakishore said.

To a query raised by reporters, the Commissioner said that the total annual allotment of fertilizer for Manipur is 34,000 metric tonnes.

However, the total allotted quantity could not be brought to Manipur due to several factors which includes bad transport infrastructure.

Yet, this time maximum efforts will be to bring in fertilizers as much as possible before the onset of rainy season, Nabakishore said.

Moreover, the State Government is working to increase the allotted quantity.

Yesterday's inspection visit was also participated by Deputy Director of Agriculture (Soil Chemist) Ph Rajendro and experts of Central Agriculture University.

Target yield from the model seed village where 150 hectares of land have been sown with B-54 variety of mustard seeds is around 180 metric tonnes.

Mustard seeds produced from the village may be purchased by Agriculture Department, said Ph Rajendro.

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