Allow us to work: AMPFA
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 11 2020:
To minimise the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on food security of the State and also to mitigate the apprehension of those who depend for their livelihood on agriculture and allied sectors, the All Manipur Progressive Farmers' Association (AMPFA) has appealed the State Government to allow the farming community to work on fields and sell their produces.
A press release issued by AMPFA further appealed the State Government to take steps against the price rise of essential commodities.
Though hoarding and skyrocketing of essential commodities prices are witnessed in other State too, timely intervention of the Governments and authorities concerned there have helped in reducing public woes, it said.
Saying that Manipur is not self-sufficient in term of food production and is dependent on other States, AMPFA opined that those States might stop or reduce the amount of food send for Manipur as the lockdown is giving untold suffering to the people across the country.
The association also conveyed that the State Government and relevant departments must be farsighted at this crucial time and take up necessary measures to ensure that there is no food shortage in the State and at the same time must continue their battle against the COVID-19 crisis.
As of now, help and donation from many generous people have helped in easing the suffering of the public to some extent, but for how long will they extend such aid if the pandemic continues to threaten the overall activities of the State, AMPFA pointed out.
Stating that the poor and underprivileged are battling two battles at one time, the fear of COVID-19 infection and hunger, it appealed the State Government to allow the farmers to pursue their agricultural operations.