CM advocates double cropping
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, October 31 2022: Chief Minister N Biren Singh today appealed to farmers of the State to utilize their paddy fields by growing other vegetables after harvesting paddy starting from this year, and not let the fields lie unutilised after the harvesting season.

N Biren was speaking as the chief guest at a distribution cum demonstration programme of farm machinery and implements under Sub Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) which was organised by the Department of Agriculture at the City Convention Hall today.

Asserting that the main concern of farmers is lack of water source during the off season, the Chief Minister assured that a special subcommittee comprising Agriculture, IFCD, Horticulture, Minor Irrigation and others would be set up to look into the issue.

The Chief Minister also said that a toll free number will be operated to facilitate farmers who are willing to utilise their paddy fields after the paddy season.

He assured that the Government will ensure farmers' requirements like seeds and water.

Biren also emphasised on the need for water harvesting during the monsoon and at the same time highlighted that ponds are being developed at various locations under the Sarovar Mission.

He explained the Prime Minister's Atmanirbhar Bharat or self-reliant India and said it is being aggressively implemented across the State in all sectors.

"We are also focusing on various sectors so that Manipur also contributes in this movement for self-reliance", he said highlighting the recently held fish mela where several fish varieties including indigenous ones were made available and the export of various items including black rice.

The Chief Minister further emphasised that Rs 80 crore has been allocated to buy local rice varieties from the farmers for distribution to the public at subsidised rates.

Stressing the need to minimise use of chemical fertilizers, Biren encouraged cattle rearing and use of organic fertilizers.

Agriculture Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh said, "We are losing paddy fields due to non-productivity and the farmers' search for alternatives".

Today, the Government is promoting digital and natural farming and considering ways on how to enhance productivity and increase income of the farmers through use of technology like drone to save the paddy fields, he said.

Biswajit said that the Agriculture Department is all set to take up four types of demonstrations at different parts of the State including natural farming through use of cow manure, organic farming through use of vermi-compost and others and farming using nano fertilizers and farming using fertilizers and the yields of these methods would be compared.

Biswajit also urged the farmers against excessive use of chemical fertilizers as it leads to several health issues.

Delivering the key-note address, Commissioner Agriculture RK Dinesh explained SMAM and said it is a Centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2014-15 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Family Welfare.

The main objective of SMAM is to maximise use of mechanisation in farming, he said adding that the power availability per hectare is 2 KW/ha (approx) in 2013-14 which is to be increased to 4.0 kW/ha by 2022.He further explained how farmers can avail the scheme and subsidies provided under the scheme.

The Chief Minister also inspected the farm machinery and implements and a demonstration of farm drone was presented as a part of the function.

The function was also attended by Hill Areas Committee Chairman Diganglung Gangmei, MLAs T Robindro, Sapam Kunjakeswor (Keba) Singh, LM Khaute, Kh Ibomcha, Th Arunkumar and Dr Y Radheshyam.

Later, Chief Minister N Biren inspected the ongoing preparation for Manipur Sangai Festival at Bheigyachandra Open Air Theatre and Mapal Kangjeibung.

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