Farmers in distress
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 15 2019:
A large number of farmers of Achanbigei in Imphal East district, are a distressed lot today after their fields have failed terribly.
Even though there was scanty rainfall, the farmers left with no other options, planted rice in their respective field, and the little rain that was received at the fag end of June and early part of July ignited hopes that at least some crops would be harvested.
Whatever money they had was invested in planting the paddy seedlings, all in the hope that they would be able to harvest some paddy.
As the little rain that was received at the fag end of June and early part of July was not adequate for paddy cultivation, farmers drew water from Imphal River to feed the parched fields.
Some farmers even shelled out Rs 500 per sangam to hire water pumps and use them to draw water from Imphal River.
However the little paddy that grew have not been able to bear any grains, with rats first attacking the standing crops followed by insect pests.
A farmer from Achanbigei while interacting with The Sangai Express said that whatever little hope they had of harvesting some rice from the fields has evaporated with the rats first attacking the standing crops followed by the insect pests.