IFM celebrates 26th foundation dap
Dependency becoming a way of life in state: Thongam Ajit
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 16 2022:
Irabot Foundation Manipur (IFM), which is based on the ideas of self-sustenance and egalitarian society, celebrated its 26th foundation day on the theme 'Responsible consumption and production' at the hall of Manipur Dramatic Union, Yaiskul Police Lane here on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion, IFM president Thongam Ajit lamented that Manipur which used to produce food abundantly has now become dependent on others for almost everything.
While opining that knowing the plight of farmers is similar to having an insight on the society, he also noted that Manipur once had the culture of gathering and producing food abundantly for a year and also the habit of kitchen gardening.
With steady decline of such a culture, dependency has now become a way of life in the state, he said while cautioning that different varieties of rice having high nutrients as well as delicious fish found in the state are in danger of extinction.
In addition to loss of agricultural land due to increase in population, the inconveniences being faced by farmers while trying to harvest paddy are constraining the farmers to stay away from farming activity, he said.
Stating that IFM has been demanding for ensuring the rights of farmers, peasants and fisherman to the government from time to time, Ajit urged the government to accord importance to issues raised by the foundation as the voice of the people and demanded to save the diminishing agricultural land in the state.
It is time to join hands for producing food crops in abundance as development and improving economy of Manipur will be realized only when the state is self-sufficient in food production.
The foundation day celebration was also attended by DM University vice chancellor Prof Nongmaithem Rajmuhon and Standard Robarth Higher Secondary School, Canchipur founder Ph Landhoni among others.