Farmers cry foul
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 20 2017:
The All Manipur Progressive Farmers' Association (AMPFA) has threatened to launch intense agitation in case adequate quantity of Urea is not made available to farmers at subsidised rate by March 25 .
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, AMPFA president Luwangsangbam Dhono said that the Government should take due note of their demand and fulfil the same within the stated deadline.
AMPFA members went to different places and many farmers were complaining that they did not get adequate quantities of fertilizer (Urea).
At present, Urea is sold in the markets at Rs 700 to 800 per bag but it is not available adequately.
On the other hand, the price of Urea fixed by the Government is Rs 304 per bag and there is adequate stock of Urea in godowns, Dhono said.
Almost 80 per cent of the total population of Manipur are farmers.
It is a common knowledge that failure to apply fertilizer in time would lead to reduced yield whether it is paddy or vegetables.
The situation is really worrisome for poor farmers.
The Government cannot cite economic blockade as an excuse for unavailability of Urea in adequate quantity because there are still large stocks of the same fertilizers in Government godowns, Dhono said.
He also expressed keen desire to increase the number of fertilizer outlets because procurement of fertilizer from far off outlets entails extra expenditure to farmers.
He appealed to the Chief Minister of the new Government to pay due attention to the matter and ensure that farmers have access to adequate quantity of fertilizer before March 25 .