Black Gram cultivation brings ray of hope
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 01 2012:
Even if paddy cropping is seeming to be a failure this year due to scarcity of monsoon rain in most part of cultivable land in Thoubal and Bishnupur districts, bright prospect of black gram cultivation, as a consolation, for the farmers is writ large.
Black Gram is cultivated in most of the cultivable land in Wangoo area of Bishnupur district under the aegis of Young Farmers' Progressive Union, Wangoo Branch.
The cultivation has been done under the Oil Seed and Pulses Scheme of the Macro-Management Mode of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture through the Department of Agriculture, Government of Manipur.
Y Ranjit, a functionary of Young Farmers' Progressive Union said that Black Gram has been extensively cultivated in around 20 hactares of agriculture land in Thoubal and Bishnupur districts this year.
At its young stage though, Ranjit expressed confidence of experiencing a prosperous harvest.
He further said that seeds of Black gram would be stored for use in next year.
It may be mentioned that four kilograms of Black Gram seeds could be used in one acre of land which in turn could make a harvest of around 300/350 kgs.
A kilogram of Black Gram (Sagol hawai) costs Rs 50 at a market rate.