Paddy production increases from 4,39,000 MT to 5,97,670 MT
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, June 30 2016: The total production of paddy has increased from 4,39,000 MT to 5,97,670 MT of clean rice during the last 15 years with productivity of 2680 kg/ha against the National average of 2177 kg/ha (2010-11).The Union Government had awarded Krishi Karman Award consecutively in the year 2011-12 and 2012-13 for increasing rice production in the State.

Agriculture in the State is confined to 10.48 pc of the total geographical area (the geographical area being 22.327 lakh ha).

The net agricultural area has increased from 222.51 lakh hectare to 234.12 lakh ha and the gross agricultural area of the State has increased by 24.22 pc while the cropping intensity increased from 121.61 pc (2001-02) to 151.90 pc (2015-16) .

Paddy field

The irrigated area is 50,000 ha ie 21.32 pc of the net agricultural land.

Pre-kharif paddy cultivation increasded from 18,110 ha (2001-02) to 42,000 ha (2015-16).The production of pre-kharif paddy is increasing from 43,460 MT to 1,68,190 MT in clean rice with a productivity of 2400 kg/ha and 4000 Kg/ha respectively.

The total area under pulses is increasing from 22,180 to 30,920 ha with a production of 16,450 MT and 29,440 MT during the last 15 years.

The per hectare yield of pulses has also increased from 750 kg to 950 kg/ha against the National average of 537 kg/ha (2010-11).The total area under maize is increasing from 16500 to 26720 ha with production increasing from 33160 MT to 61560 MT during the last 15 years.

The average yield of maize has also increased from 2010 kg to 2300 kg/ha against the National average of 1959 kg/ha (2010-11).The total area under oilseeds is increasing from 22750 to 37480 ha with production increasing from 15210 MT and 31780 MT during the last 15 years.

The average yield of oilseeds has also increased from 670 kg to 850 kg/ha against the National average of 1159 kg/ha (2010-11).The area and production of potato have increased from 7520 to 15250 ha and 62,040 to 1,29,170 MT/ha.

System of Rice Intensification (SRI) in paddy and zero tillage in mustard has also been successfully introduced in the State.

The Department has also introduced two high yielding varieties of rice namely Gin- Phou and Pari-Phou at Rice Research Station, Wangbal, Thoubal district for increasing the production and productivity in the State.

The Department has implemented Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana (RKVY), National Food Security Mission (NFSM), Crop Insur- ance Scheme, National Mission on Sustainable Agricul- ture (NMSA) and National Mission for Oilseed and Oil Palm, etc for the welfare of the farmers and also to increase the production and productivity in the State.

The Department has implemented Agriculture Techno- logy Management Agency (ATMA) for strengthening the extension reform in each district of the State.

Under this scheme, 56 Block Technology Managers (BTM), 82 Assistant Technology Managers (ATM), 7 Computer Programmers and 10 Accountants were also employed.

The Department has constructed the office building of SAMETI at the office complex of Directorate of Agriculture, Sanjenthong, Imphal East and also constructed a new Farmer Training hall at the District Agriculture Office complex, Porompat, Imphal East for conducting the training programme of the farmers of all districts under the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) .

The Department has constructed a Farmers' Training hall at Directorate of Agriculture, Sanjenthong, Imphal East and new Soil Testing Laboratory at the District Agriculture office complex, Porompat, Imphal East for testing the soil sample.

Moreover, the three mobile soil testing vans have also been launched for testing the soil sample in the field condition covering an area of three districts of each van.

Plant Health Clinic and Farmer Advisory System have also been introduced for disseminating the knowledge of plant protection to the farmers of the State for increasing the production and productivity.

Under this Department, one Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) has been established at Wangbal, Thoubal district.

This organization has organised a number of training at farmer's level and taken up front line demonstration programme for the welfare of the farmers for increasing the production and productivity.

Agriculture and allied activities is the mainstay of the State's economy where about 70 pc of the population depends on it.

Agriculture in the State is confined to 10.48 pc of the total geographical area.

The State is marginally deficit in cereals and highly deficit in the production of oilseeds and pulses.

Inspite of the rapid advancement in the crop productivity, the high rate of population growth poses a challenge to self sufficiency in Agriculture within the State.