Nano urea to replace conventional urea
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 21 2022: Chief minister N Biren said that conventional urea will no longer be available as the government would be replacing it with nano urea, which will be sprayed by using agricultural drones that the government is in the process of acquiring.

The CM made the statement while inaugurating a two-day national seminar cum workshop on 'Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Farming: Health Hazards of Agro-Chemicals use in Food Production' held at the court hall of Manipur University, Canchipur on Wednesday.

Addressing the gathering, Biren said that no matter how many seminars or discussions are conducted, success cannot be achieved without setting targets and working on mission mode.

He highlighted achievements of horticulture and agriculture departments in the past couple of years and lauded the officials for carrying out their duties sincerely and aggressively while ensuring massive change in the sector.

While pointing out that using chemical fertilisers not only lead to health issues but also affect the soil quality and fertility if used without assessing soil health and requirement, he also described as a matter of serious concern that reports have been received of injudicious use of conventional grain urea.

He said replacing it with nano urea, which comes in liquid form in tiny bottles, will help in reducing such instances and confided that the government is in the process of acquiring 60 drones each having capacity of holding 16 litres of diluted nano urea.

Encouraging farmers to adopt organic and natural farming practices as much as possible, he informed that the overall land covered under organic farming in the state was only 5000 hectares in 2016 but it has been expanded up to 37,900 hectares in 2021-22, which is almost 200 times than the coverage in 2016.Simultaneously, production has also increased from just 25,000 MT to 2,59,400 MT, he added.

While calling for using organic manures, compost and fertilisers, the CM said that the government has identified a site in Mayang Imphal area for composting 'phumdis' from Loktak.

The recent Cow Mela was a step towards promoting organic manure, he said and added that the government will enhance prize money for the mela.

Lauding the hard-work of the farmers and diligence of the officials, Biren said that Manipur can be among the top states in the country through aggressive and concerted efforts.

Manipur had won Best Improved Small State for three consecutive years, he pointed out.

Highlighting steps taken up to encourage farmers, the CM said that Rs 80 crore has already been earmarked in the budget to buy back rice from the state farmers.

"We are trying to bring changes and we are moving forward with opinions, advice and suggestions from experts to bring change," he said N Biren also spoke On the issue of water scarcity and expressed concern over the depleting forest cover of the state.

There can be no water in the lakes and rivers, if there are no forests, he cautioned and conveyed that the government is focusing on utilising ground water for irrigation purpose for which installation of 550 groundwater tube-wells and 375 wells are under process.

He also informed that 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 for providing immediate assistance to any issues raised by farmers.

The CM further highlighted that the state will showcase women empowerment during the March 17-18 G-20 event to be held in the state by focussing on various achievements of the state's women including Ima Keithel and women entrepreneurs of Start-Up Manipur among others.

Manipur University vice-chancellor professor Naorem Lokendra presided over the function while agriculture minister Thongam Biswajit and head of MU economics department and chairman of the organising committee professor Ch Priyoranjan attended as guests of honour.

The inaugural function was followed by technical sessions, during which, CAU Manipur former vice-chancellor professor M Premjit, CAU College of Food Technology dean Dr Ng Iboyaima and head of CAU department of agronomy professor L Nabachandra spoke on the topics of 'Sustainable Agriculture: Major issues concerning Important sub sectors'; 'Sustainable practice: water & soil health'; and 'Sustainable practice: inputs & feeds' respectively.

The seminar cum workshop is being organised jointly by Department of Economics, MU and All Manipur Progressive Farmers' Association (AMPFA) in collaboration with Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Manipur Centre, Imphal, veterinary & animal husbandry services, fisheries department and directorate of health services under the aegis of Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA), Mission Organic Value Chain Development for Northern Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) and directorate of environment and climate change.

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