Govt teams up with farmer bodies to rebuild economy
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 26 2023:
Taking note of the devastating effect of the violent conflict on the State's economy, Government departments and institu- tions have teamed up with farmer associations and launched "Campaign on Rebuilding Economy through Agricultural Activities, Phase-I' at Pukhao in Imphal East today.
The campaign is being organised by the Agriculture Department and Directorate of Horticulture and Soil Conservation in association with Command Area Development Authority, Minor Irrigation, Water Resources, Central Agricultural University, ICAR, All Manipur Progressive Farmers' Association, Irabot Foundation Manipur and LOUSAL.
Agriculture Director Gojendro said that there are Government schemes to aid the farmers at the time of flood and drought and it would be beneficial for the people in the farming profession to understand this.
He also said that the Agriculture Department has been working to keep the paddy lands of Manipur green throughout the year.
Saying that District Agriculture Officers have been given the permission to start distributing seeds of Rabi crops to the interested farmers, Gojendro advised the farmers to plant Rabi crops after harvesting rice to earn extra income.
He assured that the Government will provide fertilizers for planting Rabi crops, if needed.
The department will also help the farmers in purchasing tractors and other agricultural machinery at subsidised rate, Gojendro said and added that they will help the farmers in case they want to dig ponds at their paddy land too.
Additional Director of Horticulture and Soil Conservation K Devdutta Sharma said that there is no shortage of resources of Manipur for the farmers to produce abundant crops and increase their earning.
He also said that the farmers can take seeds of a variety of crops from the Horticulture Department.
Saying that passion fruit is quite suitable at Pukhao and its adjacent places for plantation, he continued that farmers can easily make Rs 1 lakh a year by planting passion fruits in one pari of land without investing a large chunk of money.
Assuring that the Government will provide technical support and help in marketing their produce if they want to plant passion fruits at Pukhao widely, he advised the farmers to not limit their vision to the local market while planting crops.
Agricultural Director N Gojendro, Chief Engineer of Minor Irrigation Department H Brojendro and social worker Nongthombam Rajendro also attended the programme among others.