Biswajit eyes tube wells for irrigation
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 01 2022:
Agriculture minister Th Biswajit has informed that the department has taken up steps to improve the irrigation system in the state including digging up tube wells.
He was speaking on the sidelines of an inspection carried out at Rice Research Centre and Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Wangbal, Thoubal district on Friday.
The minister was accompanied by Agriculture director M Gojendro.
Biswajit noted that most of the farmlands in the state plant crops for only one season and leave the land barren for the rest of the year.
This needs to be changed so as to increase the yield and meet the demands of the state.
To address the problem of lack of proper irrigation system and shortage of water, concerted efforts are being made with Minor Irrigation and CADA incjuding digging up tube wells at suitable but key locations, he conveyed.
Regarding the inspection, Biswajit expressed his dissatisfaction over the dilapidated condition of the two facilities and instructed the department officials to ensure the construction agency carry out complete repair before handing over the same to the departments.
It may be noted that the Rice Research Centre and other infrastructures were constructed during 2016-17.Biswajit then said that the inspection was carried out to assess the assistance to be provided to farmers ahead of the Kharif crop season, the seeds to be provided along with other infrastructures, agricultural inputs and equipment, farm machineries, etc.
There is the need to demarcate the department's land in Kharungpat and Thinungei areas and rent it out to the farmers in need, he stressed.
Informing that the department will do all that is necessary to provide good quality seeds to farmers, the agriculture minister said that steps will be taken up to provide water in RRS areas to encourage double cropping.
He further said that he will talk with the CM for ensuring adequate manpower and infrastructures of the station and take up additional activities including those of KVK Thoubal, so as to help increase the income of farmers.
He continued: "The department will do all that is necessary to realise PM Narendra Modi' s vision of doubling the income of farmers.
The state government will also work with the various farmers' organisations and bodies to meet the food grain demand of the state.
As such, concerted efforts should be made by all concerned for setting up a marketing platform to help the farmers sell their produces".
Biswajit also informed that discussion is on to rectify the present urea distribution system so as to put an end to the problem of urea shortage faced by the farmers of the state every year.
Steps will be taken up to prevent export of urea outside the state, he assured, while urging cooperation from all concerned in making the state self-sustainable.