UCM urges policy for self-sufficiency in food production
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 03 2022: Recalling how Manipur was a self-reliant nation in the South East Asian region and taking notes on the current dependent nature of the state, United Committee Manipur (UCM) has urged the government to bring out a special policy to make the state self-sufficient in terms of food production.

UCM secretary general Ngangom Deba Meetei made the remark during a one-day training programme for farmers organised as part of its series of training programmes being conducted on the theme 'Self-sufficient in food' under the joint aegis of agriculture and horticulture departments at Okram Mamang Leikai community hall under Thoubal assembly constituency in Thoubal district on Saturday.

Thoubal Municipal Council former councillor Okram Inaotombi and UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam attended the training programme as chief guest and president respectively while Okram Youth Club advisor Yanglem Chaoba and International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA), Thoubal branch president Biswajit Akoijam were present as guests of honour.

Speaking on the occasion, Deba emphasised on the need for taking up measures to achieve self-sufficiency in terms of food production in order to salvage the degrading economy of the state and free the people from dependency syndrome for a better future.

The state has a culture of preserving foods for lean season but such a practice is declining rapidly, Deba stressed strong suggested measures to prevent soil degradation and adopt sustainable means while at the same time focusing on enhancing productivity.

Meanwhile, Joychandra said that the state is losing its centuries old good practices, culture and tradition day by day.

Indigenous sports like Mukna, Hiyang Tannaba, Yubi Lakpi, Mukna Kangjei, Sagol Kangjei and Thang-Ta are valuable heritages of the state and people need to promote them.

Moreover, the society is heading towards a state of immorality, which needs to be checked, he maintained.

While noting that the government has been taking up sincere initiatives to promote the indigenous sports, culture and traditions as could be comprehended during the recently concluded Manipur Sangai Festival, he commended the government for showing the rich culture and tradition to tourists who ' came from different parts of the world.

Joychandra also called upon the farmers to take advantage of the benefits of various government schemes and stressed that the government should ensure that subsidy provided benefits the genuine farmers only.

Government should also keep its assurance of providing sufficient winter crop seeds to farmers along with ensuring irrigation facility, so that the crops can produce high yield, he added.

KVK, Thoubal former SMS Sagolsem Samungou and ATMA Bishnupur BTM Samom Bidyalakshmi spoke as resource persons on different topics related with farming.

Seeds were also distributed to the participating farmers on the occasion.

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