APMC must for farmers' sake: Addl director
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 09 2023:
While suggesting that farmers of Manipur venture into plantation of agricultural crops not suitable for cultivation in other states, horticulture and soil conservation additional director K Debadutta has stressed the need of developing and regulating Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) for the sake of the farming community especially in view of imminent arrival of rail service in the state.
K Debadutta, who is also the project director of MOMA, was speaking as chief guest during the 25th foundation day celebration of All Manipur Progressive Farmers' Association (AMPFA) held at Manipur Press Club, here, on Monday.
While lamenting over the fact that the condition of state's farmers has not changed in the last 20 years, the additional director informed that AMPFA which has been set up for the welfare of the farmers needs to seriously consider and dissect on what exactly the state's food producers should do now as trains will be coming in the state very soon and various agricultural products will be available at low prices.
He also suggested establishing farmer clusters in every district under the initiative of AMPFA.
Pointing out that coming of railways will have its pros and cons, K Debadutta stated that it is certain that arrival of train service will affect the local farmers.
Therefore, the farmers of the state need to be very cautious and start producing certain varieties of crops like turmeric, pineapple, roselle, king chilli and cinnamon which are not available in other states and make due preparation for export of the same.
Earlier as a part of the event, floral tributes were offered to the photo of late Joy Nongmaithem, who was the president of AMPFA, and gifts presented to former office bearers of the association.