Agri Minister advises field verification
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 11 2022: Agriculture Minister Thongam Biswajit has directed officials of Agriculture Department to carry out field verification before issuing fertilizers to farmers.

A felicitation function was held today in honour Thongam Biswajit at Sanjenthong under the aegis of Agriculture Department.

Speaking at the gathering, Biswajit said that the State Government would follow the Central Government's instruction to issue fertilizers after testing soil.

If officials of Agriculture Department check whether the quantities of fertilizers demanded by farmers are proportionate to the size of their paddy fields, embezzlement of fertilizers can be prevented, the Agriculture Minister said.

He then instructed the department to deploy officials at the district level and verify first whether the quantities of fertilizers demanded by farmers are proportionate to the sizes of their paddy fields before issuing fertilizers.

This exercise can go a long way in solving the annual problem of shortage of fertilizers, Biswajit said.

Informing that he had discussed with the Chief Minister on purchasing paddy from farmers of the State for distribution of rice to the people under PDS, Biswajit claimed that farmers can reap significant benefits if medicinal plants are planted on paddy fields which are fit for only single cropping after the end of paddy season.

Calling upon all the staff of Agriculture Department to be farmer-oriented so that the department can provide maximum benefits to poor farmers of the State, he directed all officials concerned to collect only genuine data and report through field visits.

Saying that the Central Government has been paying special attention to farmers' welfare and promotion of agriculture sector, Biswajit asked all the officials concerned to ensure that benefits of the farmers' welfare schemes reach the targeted beneficiaries.

He also underscored the growing need for Agriculture Department to enact a sound and innovative policy under which agricultural produces produced in the State replace those imported from outside.

Agriculture Commissioner M Joy and Agriculture Director N Gojendro attended the felicitation function as president and guest of honour respectively.

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