Fisheries Department opens one stop-aqua shop in Ukhrul to promote organic farming
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul, October 11 2018:
The Ukhrul District Fisheries Department joined hands with the rural farmers of Ukhrul and opened a 'one stop-aqua shop' today at the road side of Ukhrul-Imphal road near Lungshang Kong area during the launching programme of organic farming system at Lungshang Kong Luisa, Ukhrul.
Jt Director Fisheries Department Khamshing Ahum who is also DFO, Ukhrul highlighted the importance of the aqua shop and organic farming.
He stated that the Centre and the State Government have been formulating many policies to sensitize and encourage farmers to adopt large scale organic farming for optimum production.
Organic products provide better health benefits and ensure well being.
The demand for organic food/products are increasing exponentially, he said encouraging the farmers to adopt organic farming for healthy living and to boost their income at the same time.
He said, the one stop Aqua shop was introduce for the first time in the State at Ukhrul through the initiative of Fisheries Department, Ukhrul.
This marketing system will promote and motivate many farmers to inculcate, the concept of multiple cropping system apart from conventional practices of pisci cum paddy culture farming, he said.
Khamshing further mentioned that the Department is in the process to introduce integrated fanning system shortly in the whole periphery of the wet land paddy field areas of Lungshang kong.
This will gradually increase the crop yield, further generate substantial income and will enhance farmers� economy, he added.
Lungshang kong Luisai is an agricultural land for Hungpung, Shangshak Khullen and Khunou, Lungshang Khullen and Khunou and Hatha village and is well fed by the perennial water source Lungshang river.
According to reports, the more than 20 hectares of wetland have potential to produce food grain of 8000 tins of paddy and 20,000 tins of fishes annually.
It may be mentioned that among many wet terrace paddy land of Ukhrul, Lungshang Kong Luisa farmers have been practising pisci cum paddy farming/culture for many years.
The farmers had banned use of chemicals since many years.
The farmers today again pledged to ban use of any chemicals and demonstrated their commitment towards conservation of the land for organic farming.
The Fisheries Department's plans to develop the paddy land into model farm and model market in collaboration with the farmers of Lungshang Kong Luisai was also highlighted during the event.
The department further constituted a local farmers' body to look into their affairs.
As a part of the launching programme, fish fair was held at the site.
Live fishes were sold at rate of Rs 250 per kg.
The programme was attended by staff, farmers and well wishers.
The programme was organised by Fisheries Department, Ukhrul in collaboration with Lungshang Kong Luisai.
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