AMPFA seeks attention on irrigation problem
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 15 2014:
All Manipur Progressive Farmers Association (AMPFA) has demanded that the issue of providing irrigation water to the paddy fields of Manipur be deliberated in the ongoing Assembly session.
Talking to The Sangai Express, AMPFA President Joy Nongmaithem said that it has become hard for farmers to practice agriculture as the State neither has a proper system to irrigate water to the paddy fields nor harvest rain water during rainy season.
AMPFA in association with Irawat Foundation, Loumi Sinmi Apunba Lup (Lousal) and Loumi Marup has been pressing the issue to the Government, he said and added that the effort has however not yielded any positive result due to the lackadaisical attitude of the Government.
He added that farmers are unable to start farming till date due to scarcity of water this year.
Maintaining that foodstuff is the most essential item for human lives, Joy Nongmaithem demanded that the issue be seriously discussed in the ongoing Assembly session.
The Government must understand that farmers have been facing hard time since past few years due to scarcity of water, he added.
Joy Nongmaithem added that the Government must chalk out a special plan to harvest water and store it for future irrigation purpose when the rivers and Lok Lake have enough water during rainy season.
Imphal Law Level Canal was earlier planned to feed irrigation water up to the paddy fields of Nambol area but it got exhausted at Phubala.
Likewise, Imphal High Level Canal was also earlier planned to provide water from Loktak Lake up to Haorang Keirang passing through Oinam and Tharoijam villages but it got exhausted at Keinou, he added.
Joy Nongmaithem further said that owing to absence of river lift irrigation system, huge quantity of river water goes wasted after the end of rainy season every year.
He further pointed out that the Government must check whether water harvesting in various ponds of the State under Food Security Mission are properly implemented.
Saying that the issue of irrigation is always deliberated during every monsoon session in the Assembly, Joy Nongmaithem said that no concrete plan or action is however visible so far.
On the otherhand, most of the water pump sets, fertilizers, seeds and other equipment, which are to be distributed by Agriculture and Horticulture Departments do not reach the farmers at grassroot level, Joy Nongmaithem said and alleged that these items are mostly provided to close aides and workers of Ministers and MLAs.
Department officials are also helpless in this regard as MLAs and Ministers directly manage distribution of these items, he added.
Funds for digging 30-40 ponds per district are generally earmarked in the Budget under RKVY, the State would not face any problem in irrigating water if this scheme is put into effect.
However, there is strong apprehension that the matter is mismanaged by MLAs and Ministers, he added.
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