Bodies highlight plight of farmers, seek Govt's attention
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 16 2023:
COCOMI Farmers Wing has appealed to the State Government and concerned Departments to initiate necessary welfare measures for the farmers before the onset of the Rabi season.
COCOMI Farmers Wing is a conglomerate of five civil bodies namely All Manipur Progressive Farmer Association, Kangleipak Progressive Farmer Association, Loumi Yaipha Lup Kangleipak, Loumi Shinmee Apunba Lup and Loyalam Apunba Loumee Lup.Addressing a press conference today at UCM office in Lamphelpat, COCOMI Farmers Wing convenor Konthoujam Thoiba Meetei appealed to the authorities concerned to distribute the seeds of Rabi crops such as mustard, peas, etc before October 25 .
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He also urged the Department concerned to carry out registration of farmer beneficiaries before distributing seeds of Rabi crops to prevent wastage of seeds.
He continued that the Farmers Wing will provide necessary guidance and assistance to the farmers on how to protect Rabi crops from various diseases and new techniques to improve agriculture.
Highlighting that Kuki militants presents a constant threat to farmers who need to harvest crops in their fields, he urged the State Level Monitor Committee chaired by the Commissioner of Agriculture Department to convene a security meeting at the earliest to discuss possible security measures for the farmers.
Thoiba further urged the Department concerned to repair the dams to harvest water and organise awareness programmes to educate the farmers on various welfare schemes/ programmes.
Meanwhile, Irabot Foundation Manipur has asserted that the ongoing conflict in the State has left many farmers in dire straits and urged the Government to take immediate action to end the conflict and restore peace & normalcy in Manipur.
Briefing media persons today at Manipur Press Club, Irabot Foundation Manipur president Kh Gopen Luwang said the farmers are reeling under a number of paralytic blows like shortage of funds, seeds, fertilizers, water supply and equipment for agriculture.
He urged the Government to initiate various schemes/ programmes to improve the socio-economic condition of the farmers and provide suitable compensation to the farmers whose fields were burnt down by unknown miscreants during the present unrest.
He also asserted that Irabot Foundation Manipur will request the Government of India to send a team to survey the fields and to provide a special relief package for farmers.
Gopen further urged the Government to distribute seeds of Rabi crops to the farmers on time and disburse the pending compensation to the people affected by the flood of 2017 .