Organic farm at Tuyungpi cries for assistance
Source: The Sangai Express / Ashin Shaiza
Ukhrul, July 31 2021:
Ringshok Society is a group of concerned individuals in Alang Village, Phungyar Sub-Division, Kamjong District.
This group was formed in 2013 by 25 educated members with the aim to bring horticultural activities in their vast land.
They are said to produce pure organic fruits and vegetables.
Joy Jajo, the Chairperson of Ringshok Society, said that in Komo area (East part of Tangkhul) there is no proper paddy field so they opt for Jhum cultivation.
But despite all the hard work and labour, there is never enough harvest.
This led them on a journey to organic farming.
The farm is about 7 to 8 hectares.
Yongchak (Stinky beans) and Lemon was their first project but it takes seven to eight years for the tree to bear fruits.
So, they planted Papaya and Pineapple in between for the short term and mixed cropping, since they mature much faster and take only 9 to 12 months.
Soybeans, Black-eyed beans (cowpeas) and Bananas were also cultivated and brought to market every year along with Papaya and Pineapple.
Right now they are planning to produce at least three Tata truckload of Ash gourd (Maimu) by December.
But they are concerned that there will not be enough market.
Jajo further said that even after much appeal to the Government, there has been no proper response or any interest shown to their work.
'We want the staff or representatives of Horticulture, WD or NGOs to officially visit the farm and see the process in person.
We also wish to get MOMA's help and are appealing for it', added Jajo.
Right now what they need the most is proper road connecting to the farm.
The farm is located at the bed of Tuyungpi river and it is 7 km away from the main road (Imphal-Phungyar road).
There is an Inter Village Road which is in bad condition and had taken a lot of time and effort to repair the road.
For transportation, they had to rent a Shaktiman truck which is a huge burden for them financially.
Had they own a Bolero or Pickup truck; it would have been easier and could generate much better income.
Since the farm is located at the Tuyungpi river bed, if the Government could help them build a reservoir and pump up the water for irrigation, the yield will multiply manifold.
They are working with all their resources and tools that they can lay their hands on, such as spade, knife etc, without using any farm machineries.
The fruits and vegetables they are producing are purely organic.
A lot of time is spent weeding the areas; they do not use any chemicals, such as insecticides or herbicides/weedicides, to get rid of the weed and pest as it could affect public health.
Apiculture is also one of their ventures.
The entire boxes are made by them with their own hands.
The farming, with help from the Government and NGOs concerned, can add a lot to the State's economy.
They are said to have hundreds of hectares of unused land and are increasing the farm scale year by year.
Attention and encouragement from the Government could help this farm grow.
Project such as post harvest management and value addition can be initiated with financial assistance to bring sustainability.
It will also encourage others to start farming and which can increase employment.
Alang village is said to be one of the oldest Tangkhul village.
It is located in Phungyar Sub-Division, Kamjong district.
With people having migrated to different places and staying at places such as Kasom Khullen, Tangkhul Hundung, Mawai etc, it has just about 60 households.
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