Source: The Sangai Express
Lamka, September 04:
Advisor of North Eastern Council (NEC) Dr Binoy Singh who arrived here on a two-day visit today has inspected the progress works being taken up for cultivation of IR-64 rice variety on experimental basis over 500 hectares of paddy fields in Bishnupur district.
Upon his arrival here at around 10.10 am today, Dr Binoy Singh personally went to inspect the paddy fields where necessary preparations are being made for cultivation of IR-68 in Bishnupur district.
He was accompanied by Deputy Director of Agriculture Department Pheiroijam Rajcndro and other Departmental staff.
Under the main responsibility of the Agriculture Department and in collaboration with the farmers, cultivation of IR-64 on experimental basis is to be taken up for the first time in Manipur under the sponsorship of NEC over 50 hectares of paddy field at Ithai and another 100 hectares at Nambol Mai bam Chingmang.
During the inspection, NEC advisor expressed satisfaction over the steps being taken up by the Department to control pest and increase productivity with use of latest technology under the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programme.
He assured that in the event of the success of the programme being taken up on experimental basis at Bishnupur, the same would be implemented in other districts of the State as well.
He further informed that besides the programme on Kharif cultivation being taken up, NEC would also take up project on cultivation of Rabi crops and other suitable vegetables in paddy fields of the State which normally remain idle most of the time after the harvesting season.
This project would also be implemented under the direct supervision of the State Agriculture Department, he added.
On the fertilizer quotas being given by the Ministry of Petroleum/ Chemical and Fertilizers to all the States in the North East region; Dr Binoy observed that as the allocated quota is not enough the farmers are constantly faced with the problem of scarcity of fertilizer.
The matter would be taken up during the meeting of the North East region on fertilizers being convened by the Ministry from September 12 to 13, he assured.
Dr Binoy Singh would be leaving Imphal tomorrow.