Prizes for Rice Crop Competition given away
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 06 2014:
Prizes were given on Saturday to the winners of the Rice Crop Competition-2013-14 organised under the aegis of the Agriculture Department.
Agriculture Minister Abdul Nasir gave away the prizes to the winners during a function held at the office of the State Agriculture Department here.
Minister Nasir attended the event as chief guest while Rajesh Agarwal, Commissioner in-charge of Agriculture and S Gunijan, Director participated as president and guest of honour.
In his speech, Minister Nasir reminded that Manipur has so far bagged the prestigious Krishi Karman Awards for two consecutive years because of the close relations between officials of his department and the farmers.
The Minister further he hoped the State will get the next Krishi Karman Awards too and called on all farmers to increase rice yield.
Manipur has become the largest producer of rice among the North Eastern States; Nasir said and maintained that an agrarian State like Manipur will thrive only when the agriculture and its allied activities are improved.
He, however, noted that there is still a big gap between supply and demand of rice in the State and urged for making increasing efforts on taking up rainwater harvesting-based agriculture to meet the increasing demand for rice in the State.
Noting that the State is witnessing soaring temperature, the Minister also stressed on the importance of cultivating hybrid rice.
During the function, one power tiller was given to Nongthombam Brojendro of Awang Potsangbam Khunou of Imphal West.
He bagged the first position in the Rice Crop Competition held for farmers in the nine districts.
He could produce 10,773.42 Kgs of rice in one hectare of paddy field, becoming the largest rice producer in the State.
The second winner of the competition Thokchom Romeo of Kakching Ningthou Leikai in Thoubal district produced 10,721.68 Kgs of rice in one hectare of paddy field.
One power reaper was given to him.
The third prize was given to Asem Priyokumar from Sandangkhong in Bishnupur district.
His one hectare of paddy field yielded 10,573.86 Kgs of rice.
One water pump set was given to him.
The three winners were also given a cash prize of Rs 30,000, Rs 25,000 and
Rs 20,000 respectively.