Inputs distributed to discourage poppy plantation
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kakching, December 31 2022:
Under the 'cultivation of horticultural crops as an alternative to poppy cultivation in hill area project' being taken up as part of state government's War on Drugs campaign, the district horticulture & soil conservation, Chandel provided power weeder, micro nutrients and other horticultural items including NPK to Aibol Joupi village in Chandel district.
An awareness programme on 'Per drop more crops' under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (2nd Instalment 2021-22) was also held as part of the distribution of horticultural items at Aibol Joupi village on Friday.
At the event, horticulture & soil conservation officer (Chandel) Kshetrimayum Prva said that there were widespread poppy plantation in and around Aibol Joupi village located around 45/50km from Chakpikarong sub-division headquarter few years back.
As part of the state government's War on Drugs campaign, the department contacted village chief and took up plantation of horticultural crops including apple in Aibol Joupi area bordering Myanmar from 2021 under the cultivation of horticultural crops as an alternative to poppy cultivation in hill area project, Prva added.
Meanwhile, Aibol Joupi village secretary Seikhomang Haokip said that it was very fortunate for Aibol villagers that horticulture department has provided various horticultural items including power weeder.
Aibol Joupi villager Vahneilhing Haokip also said that poppy plantation in the border village had stopped since the past few years after chief minister N Biren Singh converted the village into a model farm and took up plantation of horticultural crops to improve financial condition of the villagers.
Another villager Lalboy said that the government provided seeds and other requirements but crops produced by the villagers often go waste due to lack of market and this problem could be solved with construction of a market shed.
The event was also attended by AO (SC) Dr Roshan Dangmei, AAO Ningombam Ravichandra Meitei, AHI Naorem Bikram Singh, AHI H Boyai Singh and other staff of horticulture department.