Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 11:
An emergency meeting has been convened on Monday by the state government to discuss and chalk out strategies to prevent production failure of agricultural products particularly paddy due to draught-like situation prevalent in the State.
This was stated by the principal secretary, agriculture when contacted.
Due to prolonged absence of rainfall in the catchments areas of the state, farming community are facing untold miseries with fear of huge loss in productivity for which the meeting to be attended by experts and officials of Agriculture Department has been convened.
Regarding financial assistance for draught relief, the official stated that as of now no special financial aid has been assured by the Central government.
However, state government will discuss alternative measures to protect damage of crops, he added.
It may be mentioned that the Central government had earlier provided draught relief monetary assistance when the state was reeling under similar situations.
The director of agriculture as well as Advisor (R) was not available for comments on the matter.
Meanwhile, All Manipur Farmers� Development Association, Sanjenthong has urged the government to declare Manipur draught-hit.
Paddy fields of Sawombung areas are developing huge cracks due to lack of water and the plants are on the verge of drying up, according to the press release of pradhans of four development blocks of the nearby villages.