Paddy fields in IE parched; Agri Dept officials inspect
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 23 2022:
Owing to acute shortage of water in paddy fields, farmers are facing a terrible situation as most of agricultural land in Imphal East have developed cracks, thus, raising a question on the possibility of harvesting paddy this time.
In view of the situation arising due to lack of rainfall, a team led by Imphal East district agriculture officer Laltinmang Doungel and EO Gurumayum Nirmal Sharma inspected farmlands in and around Yumnam Khunou in the district.
During the inspection, the team found cracks in paddy fields caused by scarcity of water.
Speaking in this regard, G Niramal Sharma conveyed that most of the paddy fields in Imphal East have developed cracks due to scarcity of water, thereby facing a situation where farmers could not harvest the pad dy.
If irrigation water from Dolaithabi canal reaches the paddy fields in Imphal East, then the problem of water scarcity in Yumnam Khunou area could be easily solved, he maintained.
Nirmal said that a report of the inspection will be submitted to Imphal East deputy commissioner and further assured of extending all possible help to the affected farmers.
One of the affected farmers said that their farming depends on seasonal rain and the products produced from the field are used to sustain the family.
However, if the scarcity of water continues and causes complete crop failure, then he will not be able to sustain his family.
This would be adding more burdens to their lives, the farmer lamented, while urging the government to help the hapless farmers.
Meanwhile, Apunba Loumi Lup president Leishangthem Sanjit recalled their demand to the agriculture department for digging farm ponds for collecting water during rainy season so as to irrigate farming areas.
But it remains pending due to selection of site, he informed, while urging to take up special measures so as to ensure irrigation of farming areas in Imphal East.