Campaign for rebuilding economy held
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 28 2023: Committee on Agriculture and Horticulture for Building Economy of the State launched 'Rebuilding economy through agricultural activities phase-1 campaign' at Saiton Keithel in Bishnupur district on Saturday with Kumbi MLA S Premchandra attending as chief guest.

Speaking at the event, MLA Premchandra informed that the government is taking up a series of measures to ensure safe return of the displaced people to their respective homes and provide a secured environment.

The campaign is part of the government's initiative to spread awareness on schemes under departments of agriculture, and horticulture & soil conservation as well as other allied departments such as minor irrigation, CADA, water resources, etc., through which the displaced families could get assistance for rebuilding their economy.

While drawing attention of the government to take up measures to improve the irrigation facility in the area, he also urged the public to get acquainted with the schemes and utilise them to the full extent in the post-harvest season to fill the usually barren fields with green vegetables.

The MLA also offered to bear the cost of tractors as well as other machineries required for farming activities while urging farmers to foot the fuel bill.

In his address, Horticulture & Soil Conservation additional director and committee convenor Debadutta, while highlighting the adverse impact of the present crisis on the farmers, said that the committee was formed as a joint initiative of different departments to lend support to the crisis affected farmers under the instruction of the chief minister.

He urged the farmers to take the opportunity of consulting with field experts and adopt modern farming activities to rebuild their economy.

The departments have schemes under which farmers can not only get quality seeds and other inputs but also support for farm mechanisation.

A special scheme is also in the pipeline for providing financial assistance to farmers for planting lotus, fox nut (Thangjing) and water caltrop (Heikak).

Once approved, the scheme will help farmers living in the surrounding areas of Loktak Lake, he opined.

Senior officials of agriculture, horticulture & soil conservation, and fisheries departments spoke on different schemes being implemented by their respective departments for the welfare of farmers.

The programme was attended by officials and representatives of CADA, minor irrigation, water resources, CAU, ICAR, All Manipur Progressive Farmers' Association, Loumee Sinmee Apunba Lup, Irabot Foundation Manipur and other stakeholders.

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