Plant identification project launched Phayeng experiments with integrated farming
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 02 2017:
The Directorate of Environment, Im- phal West has been implementing a project of identi- fying plants which are suitable or can adapt to the changing climatic conditions at Chakpa Phayeng village .
The pilot project was launched last year with direct participation of Chakpa Phayeng villagers in association with different depart- ments after the directorate had formulated the State Action Plan for Climate Change .
Although the project primarily focuses on identifi- cation of plants which can adapt to the changing climatic conditions without application of chemicals, it encapsulates water harvesting, farming, capacity building and health issues .
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A visit by this reporter to Chakpa Phayeng village where the project is being implemented found that 21 villagers have been cultivating RCM-9 variety of paddy under SRI (Systematic Rice Intensification) .
The 21 farmers used vermi-compost and liquid manure prepared by them .
A dam has also been constructed under the same project so as to stock water for irrigation.
The 21 farmers have been doing inte- grated farming under which castor plants are cultivated between which cabbage, leguminous plants, U-Morok etc are also cultivated.
They are also rearing fish .
A health registry is maintained at the village with the primary objective of keeping all inhabitants healthy.
Piggery is also done at community level with a view to discourage rearing pigs at household level .
The village roads are illuminated by solar lamps .
If the project being implemented at Chakpa Pha- yeng proves successful, the same project would be implemented at other places too, informed a source .
Although the Directorate of Environment is the nodal agency of the project, it works together with CADA, Agriculture, Horticulture, PHED and MANIREDA .
Moreover, CAU, ICAR and KVK Imphal West have been imparting necessary training to the villagers.