Source: Oken Jeet Sandham
Merapani, Sept 23 (NEPS):
The Lothas living in the border areas at Merapani have not only been facing untold hardships over decades but also losing large portion of their lands, which is so fertile, and oil rich to the neighboring Assam.
Besides the survival of State�s biggest Seed Farm at Merapani is now under threat as Assam Government used diverse tactics to encroach this area.
This unwanted development have been going on virtually unnoticed for quite some time to the rest of the Naga people.
State Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Dr TM Lotha along with high-ranking State officials including Additional Chief Secretary TN Mannen while inspecting the Seed Farm yesterday, had found that only one-third of the area (Seed Farm) was utilized and the rest was systematically encroached by Assam side.
The Agronomist of the Merapani Seed Farm, however, stated the Assam farmers used those areas on lease but there were no records.
Expressing serious concern on the development in border Seed Farm, the Minister wondered as to how two-thirds of State�s only Seed Farm at Merapani could be used by Assam.
He further cautioned that if the �present trend continues,� it would be dangerous for the future survival of the Farm.
Dr Lotha disclosed that for immediate measure to protect the whole 1000 acre Merapani Seed Farm, his department had sanctioned Rs 2 crore for fencing.
The Minister, who physically walked around the Seed Farm, also said the Merapani Seed Farm was the biggest farm in the State where seed production and multiplication were carried out, besides it was the highest revenue-earning farm in the State.
�Therefore, fencing of this Seed Farm is the top priority of mine to prevent from encroaching,� the Minister asserted.
The Merapani Seed Farm was established in June 1969 on a purchased land for the purpose of certified seed production to meet the requirement of the State.