Evaluation of hailstorm-induced crop losses continues
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 09 2024:
Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department additional director Md Zakir Hussain, who is also MIDH mission director, on Thursday led teams of officials in conducting surveys of crops in Imphal East district which were damaged by heavy rain and hailstorm of May 5.A team of the Department also comprising district officer Yeitei Koireng and others evaluated crop damages in farms under Keirao and Thongju assembly constituencies including Arapti, Thiyam Konjil, Cha-nam Sandrok, Bashikhong, Bamon Kampu and other areas.
During the visit, the officials also interacted with the affected farmers and assured them of providing all possible assistance by the department.
The team also assessed the damages caused to greenhouse farms as well as dragon fruit and banana farms carried out under the aegis of the department.
Speaking to the media persons in connection with the survey, Md Zakir Hussain informed that the crop damages due to the recent hailstorm has not only affected the farmers, financially, but also impacted the economy of the state.
As such, the department is conducting the survey as advised by commissioner T Pamei to provide assistance to the affected farmers.
He also appealed to the farmers affected by the recent heavy rainfall and hailstorm to approach district officer concerned to facilitate the government compensate the fanners in distress at the earliest possible.
Meanwhile, one of the affected farmers named, Soibam Maniton of Lilong Arapti lamented that he planted dragon fruit and sponge gourd in his farm but everything has been damaged by the hailstorm on May 5, when the crops were at the stage of flowering, while adding that not only his farm but most of the farms in Keirao AC suffered damages.
He also expressed hope that the survey undertaken by the department will help in recovering the damages caused to their crop.