Lack of fertilisers hits farmers hard
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 23 2020:
Even as rains have brought joy to farmers, many are unable to start agricultural works at their farms due to lack of fertilizers.
Many farmers of Seijang are unable to get fertilizers from the Agriculture Department office in Porompat, said L Subash, secretary of the Seijang Development Committee condemning the authorities concerned and the Government for poorly implementing fertilizer distribution processes.
Speaking to media persons during a press meet called by the Seijang Development Committee, Seijang Progressive Youth Club and Seijang Chaokhat Khongthang Nupi Marup, L Subash said many of the farmers are unable to work in the fields due to lack of fertilizers.
He said due to the recent rains, fields in Seijang area under Lamlai Assembly Constituency have adequate irrigation water for farmers to spray/apply fertilizer on their crops.
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If the fertilizers are not sprayed on time, the crops may fail, he said.
Even though the State Agriculture Department is providing fertilizers to farmers at Porompat office for Imphal East, many are unable to get the fertilizers.
Only about 150 persons are given fertilizers in a day, he claimed.
"Farmers from far off places such as Seijang spend the night near the office to get the fertilizer.
As police didn't allow them to form queues at night, most of them return without fertilizers," he said.
Moreover, the farmers need to show land/field patta to get the fertilizer.
This has become a problem for those who are tenant farmers.
Many of them are facing difficulties in procuring/getting the pattas from the land owners, he said.
COVID-19 lockdown is also adding to the woes of the farmers of far flung areas.
Many who have no motor vehicles are unable to visit the Agri office, he said, appealing the Agriculture Department to arrange a way for the Seijang farmers to easily avail the fertilizers they need.