Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 09 2010:
A team of officials of the Agriculture Department led by Agriculture Commissioner Letkhogin Haokip made field inspection of paddy cultivated in many areas within Nambol A/C today.
Seeds of the IR 64 variety of paddy cultivated in these areas as first cropping were provided by Agriculture Department.
After observing the paddy plants, Letkhogin exuded that the fields would yield rice sufficient enough for domestic consumption of the farmers and their families.
Paddy seeds were sown in these fields in the third week of January and the seedlings were later transplanted according to the general procedure.
Agriculture Director L Palendro who was a part of the inspection team said that the same variety of paddy can be harvested when they are 120 to 125 days old.
He appealed to farmers to cultivate IR 64 variety of paddy applying SRI method in addition to employing traditional methods.
The team visited paddy fields of Leimapokpam Makha Achouba Loukon, Leimapokpam Makha Loukon, Kha-Sanjenbam and Sanjenbam Loukon.
ICDP (Rice) scheme in-charge L Ibomcha said that process for cultivation of PAC 807 variety of paddy has been initiated in 5000 hectares under SRI method while IR 64 variety of paddy are being cultivated in around 20,000 hectares using traditional methods.
The inspection team also included Agriculture SE K Manoranjan, Kh Nimai of Plant Health Clinic, Dr M Thoithoi of KVK Thoubal and other officials and scientists.