MPP demands distribution of fertilizer at AC level
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 19 2021:
Dissatisfied over distribution of fertiliser in the district headquarters which put additional burden to farmers amidst the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, Manipur People's Party (MPP) has urged the agriculture minister to initiate steps to distribute the essential agricultural ingredient at assembly constituency level rather than at district headquarters.
In a statement, MPP vice president Dr S Ibomcha Singh said that farmers of the state could not plough their paddy fields in time due to lean rainfall and lack of irrigation facility.
Having no option as sowing season almost lapses, farmers of the state sowed paddy seeds on dry fields and try their luck with exception to some paddy fields having irrigation facility.
It is the duty of agriculture department and the minister concerned to provide adequate fertiliser to farmers.
When farmers of the state raised voice for providing adequate fertilizer to them, agriculture minister and officials of the department boldly claim through the media that there is no shortage of fertiliser.
This claim, however, is irrelevant in the present situation as distribution of fertiliser in some assembly constituencies cannot be termed as state wide and now is not the time to fool farmers, the MPP vice president said in the statement.
While asserting that COVID-19 pandemic has hit hard the people and the farmers of the state for almost two years, Dr Ibomcha drew attention of chief minister N Biren Singh for providing adequate fertiliser to farmers who had tried their luck by sowing paddy seeds on dry field due to lack of water and need adequate fertiliser for speedy growth of paddy plants.
Urging officials of the agriculture department to change the current system of fertiliser distribution in the district headquarters, he suggested that distribution at assembly constituency level would be best for farmers and initiate steps to make it happen for convenience of farmers amidst the pandemic.
He further said that distribution of one bag of fertiliser for one 'Pari' of paddy fields is inadequate and hence the department should calculate requisite fertiliser and make it available to farmers.