Organic farming in 11,500 hectares of land: Biswajit
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 23 2023: The state government is committed to expand the area of land under organic farming and such relentless efforts are paying rich dividends as organic farming are being practiced in 11,500 hectares of land at present, informed agriculture minister Th Biswajit.

Responding to a query raised by opposition MLA K Ranjit during question hour of the assembly session on Thursday, minister Biswajit informed that under Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region, the government is carrying out organic farming with farmers provided financial assistance under the scheme for purchasing organic inputs.

Expressing confidence that Manipur can become an organic state like Sikkim in the near future, the minister stated that under mission organic scheme, farmers are making the best use of the financial assistance in purchasing requisite materials and producing organic products.

Replying to another poser by K Ranjit regarding incidents of forest fire in the hills, Biswajit, who also holds Forest, Environment and Climate Change portfolio, referred to report of North East Space Application Centre (NESAC), Shillong, that forest fire has affected total of 14,699.04 hectares of reserved forest area in between 2019 to 2023 with 90 percent of the wildfires confirmed to be intentionally ignited by unscrupulous elements.

While confiding that six people were arrested in cases related to forest fires while one person was fined Rs 5500 by CJM Jiribam, he said five people are facing trial in courts for similar offences.

Though occurrence of forest fire has declined, fire service and water tanker are being kept at strategic locations to meet any eventuality, he added.

On a question raised by Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah with regard to supply of electricity in rural areas, minister Th Biswajit, who is also in charge of power, informed the house that since 2017-18, MANIREDA has started providing electricity to Ronshak, Sahamphung sub division HQ, Roni, Khayang and Phungtha village under Ukhrul district under the off-grid mode of Solar Photo voltaic module.

The government is planning to provide electricity through grid mode to these villages after commissioning of the 33/11KV Sahamphung Sub- Station.

On the question of Amur Falcon preservation raised by opposition MLA Ngursan-glur Sanate, minister Biswajit said that the government has taken up awareness programmes for the local communities of Lungthuilien under Pherzawl district for preserving the migratory birds in addition to displaying signboards.

Security personnel are also placed round the clock during October and November when Amur Falcon regularly visit the area.

The Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 is also enforced in the area apart from the Pherzawl district magistrate issuing an order on November 24, 2022 prohibiting use of air guns in the district.

CAF & PD minister L Susindro while responding to a query raised by Khangabok MLA Surjakumar Okram, informed the house that the government has not yet procured local rice which is to be provided to the public under NFSA.

The Consumers Affairs Food and Public Distribution ministry had informed the state government to start preparation for milling infrastructure and online procurement portal for procurement of local rice from the coming season.

For the start, the government is planning to procure 30,000 metric tonnes of local rice, Susindro elaborated.

He further informed that the farmers will be given direct benefit for which a portal has been set up.

The FCI will provide rice at the rate of Rs 20.40 per kg and government will bear additional amount and procure rice at Rs 25 per kg from the farmers.

Replying to another query from MLA Ram Muivah on the issue of Ramrei water supply, minister Susindro informed that the water supply scheme has been handed over to Water Sanitation Committee since January 12, 2023 and that all issues would be solved in consultation with the committee.

Minister H Dingo, while responding to a query by Tipaimukh MLA Ngursunglur Sanate regarding establishment of ITI, said that an ITI each is being constructed in Pherzawl and Noney and around 60 percent of the works have been completed as of now.

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