Lup demands alternative livelihood source for farmers
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 07 2023: Pointing out that vast tract of agricultural lands remain untilled due to the present unrest situation in the state as well as rainfall deficit, Manipur Loumi Lup has urged authorities concerned to provide alternative livelihood to farmers who are unable to cultivate crops.

In a release, Lup secretary H Ibobi Singh pointed out that Meetei farmers living in foothill areas of Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur and Kakching districts adjacent to Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts are the worst affected by the conflict.

The government is good only in giving lip service as they failed to solve the crisis and made the people to become refugees in their own land, he contended.

In addition to the scanty rainfall this year, the present crisis has prevented the farmers to go to their fields and plant crops.

Moreover, around 200 pari of agricultural land in Bishnupur district near Churachandpur and 100 pari in Imphal East in the periphery of Kangpokpi district are under forcible siege of the Kukis.

However, central and state forces could not remove the Kuki occupants and hand over the land to the original owners in-spite of the central government announcing crop compensation of Rs 38.06 crore for farmers to mitigate the inconveniences faced by them, he added.

Ibobi informed that out of 1,95,000 hectares of agricultural lands in the state, 1,06,180 hectares are in the valley and 15-20 per cent of the farmers cultivate crops at their own land while the remaining are tenant farmers.

So, tenant farmers and those helping in cultivation of crops are apprehensive as there is no information about whether the tenant farmers will receive the crop compensation.

So, agricultural department should make arrangements so that recognised farmers avail the compensation as well.

Moreover, special arrangements should be made for those helping in cultivation of crops through job cards until the crisis is over , he demanded and further urged authorities concerned to provide at least 10 kg of NFSA rice to the beneficiary as there will be drastic decline in crop production this year.

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