Source: The Sangai Express / Konsam Samita Devi
Imphal, May 21 2010:
To lead a prosper and economically sound life, one has to work hard with determination is the message, which Meitram Manitomba of Kangmong Langonjam Mayai Leikai wants to send across to everybody.
At a time when the State is facing acute shortage of foodstuff, Manitomba is contributing his bit to the society with bumper production of maharaja variety of tomatoes.
The 50-year-old progressive farmer draws around 4000-5000 kgs of tomatoes per hectare from his Kangmong Khokpi farms of Imphal West district every season.
"One can earn good income from tomato farming if he/she works hard", equipped Manitomba.
The way he has brought up his children proves his words right.
A father of two sons and two daughters, the hardworking farmer sends one of his sons to Bangaluru for Flight Steward course and his daughter is working in a Guwahati hospital as Staff Nurse after completing her course there.
He said, "I did not get any white coloured Government job, still I can give good education to my children.
It is only because I do not sit idle" .
As the soil of his farm area is sandy, maharaja tomatoes are suitable to yield good dividends.
Manitomba said, "I grow around 8000 tomato plants in five hectares of land every year and earn a profit of Rs 30,000 per hectare".
Manitomba harvests his tomatoes for three months without any break and sends it in bulk to Nagamapal vegetable vendors at the rate of Rs 6 to 10 per kg.
Even though tomato farming is his only source of income, Manitomba tries to contribute his bit to the society by selling his tomatoes at cheaper rates at the time of any social unrest, like June uprising and economic blockades.
Around 50 other farmers are also farming tomatoes like Manitomba at the locality.
The problem of unemployment has been reduced considerably as these farmers are also earning good profit from their tomato farms.
Manitomba said, although not regularly, State Horticulture Department provides seeds and tomato plants to the farmers.
Saying that providing of seeds late delays production, Manitomba urged the Govt to provide seeds in time.