Seasonal cropping starts; but rainfall remains elusive
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Triveni Waikhom

Imphal, August 07 2014: As the saying goes, "Not a drop of rain water should go to the sea without being utilised", it is not only about water uses but the underlying water utility that is needed.

Manipur was expecting adequate monsoon rainfall after the recent water crisis.

Being an agrarian State with no adequate facilities for irrigation, the only option has been total reliance on rainfall.

Although water harvesting was on top priority for solving the water crises, it has not been applied so far.

On the 86th foundation of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) on July 29 last, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed the need to cultivate more crops in less land (meaning Intensive Farming) and emphasised on more scientific cooperation to establish more contact with the farmers.

"Per drop, more crop" can be the mission statement, he stated.

Making the slogan "Lab to Land", the Prime Ministr proposed setting up of radio stations in agricultural colleges and universities and stated, 'what is done in the lab should reach the farmers'.

Showing increasing concern for productivity in fisheries sector after the Green and White Revolutions, the PM also called for 'Blue Revolution'.

However for Manipur, the increasing concern also rests upon the favourable conditions of the farms and the meteorological factors.

With a geographical area of 22,327 sq.

km (=2,232,700 hectares), Manipur comprises 90% hill areas and 10% plains.

The staple food for the people is rice, but the cultivation of rice solely depends on monsoon rainfall.

Of the total area of the state, 1, 68,700 hectares cover gross cropped area in the plains, while the hills have an area of 1, 42,920 hectares.

Gross agricultural area consists of only 13.95% of the whole area in the state.

The production from this area supplies food to the increasing 27 lakh plus population of Manipur.

The Department of Agriculture, Government of Manipur recorded a yearly paddy production of the state which shows a growth in production of a total paddy of 265,000 Metric Tonnes (MT) for the year 2009-10. Later in 2013-14, it climbed upto 595,670 MT.

The targeted production for 2014-15 is 636,000 MT.

Both the Meteorological Department, Imphal Airport and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Lamphelpat, Imphal recorded a total rainfall of 1,197.3 mm and a maximum of 383.0 mm in June 2011.In 2013 the total stayed as 1,639.1 mm and recorded highest temperature of 41.4 Degree Celsius in August.

However, the steep reduction in rainfall to 125.0 mm in June this year minimises the expectations for higher agricultural production.

Meteorological Department record says that the rainfall for this year could be reduced by 30% .

ICAR, Lamphelpat, helps to convey the favourable season for farmers with a sunshine recorder card which tells the photosynthesis energy level.

The agro-meteorological observatory in the complex records the weather data with technological developments like automatic weather station, self-recording rain gauge, Stevenson screen, sunshine recorder card and other related tools.

Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Thoubal where the state's richest paddy fields are located, is also putting in all their efforts to train the farmers.

The KVC- based Farm Manager, Waikhom Jiten Singh has predicted that rice production might decrease this year.

Planting contingency crops like black grams may replace rice cultivation, if needed.

The crop calendar of KVK included the cultivable crops for the monsoon season until August as black gram, cauliflower, potato, cow pea, chilli, cucumber, brinjal and many others.

He also said new varieties of rice namely WR 15-6-1 is yet to be released in Manipur.

System of Rice Intensification (SRI), an alternative measure of paddy growing and also a method to increase rice production, the first demonstration of which was carried out at KVK has been implemented progressively in the state.

With only 5 kg of rice needed for producing rice per hectare, SRI cultivates rice intensively in the small area.

The seeds are equally distanced from each other in rows and columns preventing the erratic behaviour of plant growth.

While the arable lands are decreasing in quantity without seasonal cropping; decreasing cultivable lands with this system is a must at times of intense need of yield.

Crops which are unrelated to monsoon like potato and winter maize can suffice the need of agronomy.

Calculating the least length of rainfall at of 2.5 mm and the brighter sunshine with more evaporation rate through ICAR and applying SRI method of KVK, a good deal of contact has already been established between the officials of agriculture and weather and the farmers.

In the declining trace of rainfall and agricultural produce, it now becomes an exclusive chapter to discuss issues like safeguarding the natural resources through when proper and effective measures.

Like what Dr.M Thoithoi, Programme Coordinator of KVK, Thoubal has said, the irrigation plans need protection for different stages of crop cultivation, the irrigation area should be properly ensured with good seed, right time for crop cultivation, improving soil quality, imparting knowledge of seasonal crops and using water for the plant at the right time.

However, different crop varieties can be attempted and the expectation for rainfall is standing still for the seasonal farm production.

With the passing of Manipur Paddy Land Conservation Bill 2014 on July 24, 2014 that entails more protection of land with inclusion of not only cultivable field but also forest lands, marshy and wetlands, Manipur also awaits the implementation of the laws on farming for the years to come to enhance its favourable environment.

In this context, Prime Minister's recent statement on intensive culture and transfer of technology from 'lab to land' is very pertinent.

The countdown for maximum production per hectare would only begin with the competing proposals of the government and the powerful forces of nature !!! .

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