CM inaugurates Natl workshop on organic farming
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, December 21 2022: Chief Minister N Biren Singh inaugurated a two day National seminar cum workshop on 'Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Farming: Health Hazards of Agro-Chemicals use in Food Production' at the Court Hall, Manipur University, Canchipur.

Addressing the inaugural function, N Biren Singh said that no matter how many seminars or discussions are conducted, "we cannot achieve success, unless we work on mission-mode with a target" .

Highlighting some of the achievements in the last few years, Chief Minister N Biren said that the overall land covered under organic farming in the State has greatly increased.

Organic farming covered just about 5,000 hectares in 2016, but now it has expanded to 37,900 hectares in 2021-22 which is almost 200 times that of 2016 .

Not only this, the production has also increased from just 25,000 MT to 2,59,400 MT now, he added.

Lauding the hard-work of the farmers and capabilities of the Agriculture and Horticulture officials, N Biren said that Manipur can be among the top States in the country in organic farming sector.

Manipur has been the most improved small State for three consecutive years, he added.

Highlighting steps taken up in the State to encourage farmers, the Chief Minister said Rs 80 crore has already been earmarked in the Budget to buy rice from the State farmers.

"We are trying to bring positive changes and we are moving forward with opinions, advice and suggestions from experts," he said.

N Biren also deliberated on the issue of water scarcity in the State and expressed concern over the depleting jungle cover in the State.

There will be no water and lakes and rivers will dry up if there are no forests, he said.

"We are focusing on the use of ground water.

Installation of 550 groundwater tube-wells and 375 wells are underway," Biren said.

The Chief Minister further spoke on natural and organic farming and said both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah have laid emphasis on the method of farming.

A committee headed by an Additional Chief Secretary under a Cabinet sub-committee has been set up and a toll-free number will be announced soon to immediately assist and intervene in any issues raised by farmers.

Further advising farmers to use natural fertilizers, the Chief Minister said the Government has identified a site at Mayang Imphal area for composting Phumdis from Loktak Lake to organic fertilizer.

"We are also encouraging nano fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizer," he said, highlighting the need to decrease and shun the use of chemical fertilizers to build a strong and healthy society.

The Chief Minister also highlighted that the State will showcase women empowerment during the March 17-18 G-20 event in the State by highlighting various achievements made by the women.

Ema Market and achievements of start-up women entrepreneurs will also be highlighted, he said.

Agriculture Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh, Vice Chancellor Manipur University Prof Naorem Lokendra Singh also attended the inaugural function.

The seminar cum workshop is being jointly organised by the Department of Economics, Manipur University and the All Manipur Progressive Farmers' Association (AMPFA) in collaboration with Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Manipur Centre, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Services, Department of Fisheries and Directorate of Health Services.

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