CM commends AR for promoting organic farming
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, February 13 2023:
While commending the Assam Rifles for promoting organic farming in the interior parts of Manipur, chief minister N Biren clarified that the 'war on drugs' campaign launched by the government of Manipur is not intended to target any particular community but for the welfare of all with special focus on saving the future generations.
Speaking as the chief guest at the flag-in ceremony of an Organic Farming Educational Tour to Sikkim held on Monday at IGAR South, Mantripukhri, N Biren thanked the Assam Rifles for such an initiative of taking villagers from Sajik Tampak to Sikkim for skill training on organic farming.
IGAR (S) Major General Rajan Sherawat, officers of Assam Rifles, villagers from Sajik Tampak and nearby areas also attended the function.
The team comprising 20 youths from Sajik Tampak area was flagged off on February 4 from Kakching for the skill training programme.
CM Biren also commended the Assam Rifles for taking up such a meaningful and effective measure in the fight against poppy plantation and illegal drugs in the state.
Further acknowledging the contribution of the Assam Rifles, mainly in counter-insurgency operations and guarding the borders, the chief minister said that he is aware of the difficulties faced by the Assam Rifles in dealing with the insurgents and difficult terrains.
Biren continued that he is very much thankful that the force has joined hands in the 'War on Drugs' campaign and countering the illegal drugs, adding, "With the help of the Assam Rifles, we are able to nab many smugglers with huge quantities of illegal drugs and that the Assam Rifles is also involved in the destruction of poppy plantations in the hill areas".
He described the 'War on Drugs' as a Campaign towards making a 'Nishamukt Bharat'.
The chief minister also announced rehabilitation or alternative plantations for poppy plantation which could be beneficial for the villagers and fervently appealed to all concerned to give up parochial mind-set and harbouring ill-will against others.
Pointing out that the massive destruction caused to the natural forests is one of the factors for drying up of rivers and other water bodies in the state, he expressed fear that continuation of the present trend of destroying the forest for another decade or two will be imperious for the state and its people.
The government cannot provide white-collar jobs to each and every one, but there are schemes like the Manipur Start Up which can help the people, he said and called upon the tour participants to share the knowledge gains from the training trip to their fellow villagers so as to promote organic farming.
Meanwhile, PRO IGAR (S) informed in a release that the tour comprising seven females from Kana Valley in Chandel district was organised to enlighten and expose the young farmers to myriad options of organic farming.
During their maiden visit to Sikkim, the participant farmers were made aware about various chemical free organic farming techniques.
Series of presentation and field visits to various organic farms were also organised by Agriculture and Horticulture department of Sikkim.
During the tour, the farmers interacted with Governor of Sikkim Ganga Prasad Chaurasia at Gangtok on February 9.The farmers were able to gain practical knowledge on organic ways of soil testing towards controlling pests during the farm visits, harvesting techniques along with an exposure to the emerging markets for organic products.
The 20-member team was led by Major Kunal Banerjee of the 15 Assam Rifles.