NEFIS blames Govt for agrarian crisis in state
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 18 2021: North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) has strongly criticised the state government for compelling the farmers of the state to go through a multitude of problems due to its apathy.

The problems being currently faced by the farmers are emblematic of the agrarian crisis in the state, it said.

In a release, NEFIS member Thokchom Yaiphalembi Chanu said that the farmers in the state are facing huge problems in trying to obtain fertiliser for applying in their fields.

The season for planting seeds and transplanting paddy has begun, but the government's apathy is such that farmers are not getting fertilisers, despite waiting in long queues at the distribution centres.

Despite the urgent need of fertilisers, there is only one distribution centre for fertilisers per district.

Not just this, due to the long wait, black market for fertilisers is thriving across the state with the active connivance of local politicians and police.

While the farmers have to wait indefinitely, the politicians are seen distributing fertilisers during election campaigns.

Thus, nepotism for political gains is also rampant in the state, it alleged.

NEFIS claimed that despite the shortage of fertilisers as well as a host of other problems such as the water crisis and lack of proper irrigation systems faced by the farmers, there is little support from the government.

NEFIS demanded that more distribution centres be operated in each district to ensure easy access to subsidised fertilisers.

Moreover, the nepotism and black-marketing related to fertilisers and other subsidised farming inputs should be immediately stopped, the release further demanded.

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