Paddy yield slump imminent, loss pegged at Rs 38.59 cr
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 28 2023: With over 5000 acres of paddy land in the peripheral areas remaining uncultivable due to the unrest situation, the state is staring at imminent shortage of 15,439.24 metric tonnes (MT) of paddy grains production this year which experts estimate at loss of Rs 38.59 crore.

Wary about the fallout, the state government has reportedly sought special package from the centre to make up for the loss/deficit.

Since outbreak of the eth nic violence on May 3, many farmers in the outlaying villages in the plains especially those close to Kuki villag es, have ceased agricultural works regardless of the state government forming committees and deploying state and central forces to instil sense of security among the food producers to tend to their fields.

However, such efforts seem to be having no effect in the peripheral villages as Meitei farmers fear for their lives in the aftermath of armed Kuki militants attacking and injuring farmers while working in their fields.

With no signs of the violence abating, paddy rice production in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bish-nupur, Chandel, Senapati, Bishnupur and Jiribam districts is likely to be negligible, if at all there is any yield.

A total of 539 hectares of paddy land in Imphal West, 633 in Imphal East, 2191 in Bishnupur, 581 in Thoubal, 37 in Jiribam, 273.25 in Chandel, 597.83 in Senapati and 295 hectares in Churachandpur totalling 5127 hectares will remain uncultivable due to the crisis.

As a result the state is estimated to suffer loss of Rs 38,59,31,000, according to official reports.

Moreover, farmers of 24 villages in Imphal West, 17 in Imphal East, 24 in Bishnupur, 3 in Thoubal, 8 in Jiribam, 19 in Chandel, 52 in Senapati, and 12 villages in Churachandpur districts are the hardest hit by the unrest situation.

Of the 2314 hectares of cultivable land in Imphal West district, a total of 539 hectares remain uncultivable, whereas in Imphal East, out of the total of 1550 hectares 633 hectares remain barren, with Thoubal and Kakching districts commanding total of 581 hectares of paddy held 1714 hectares of paddy field have been affected by the crisis.

Bishnupur district has total of 7244 hectares of paddy cultivable land out which 2191 hectares are laying unutilised while in Jiribam district paddy seeds could be sown in only 37 hectares out of the total of 891.534 hectares.

In Chandel district, which has 658 hectares of paddy land cultivation could be taken up in only 275 hectares.

Interestingly, the official data shows no cultivation activities in the entire 597.83 hectares of paddy land falling under Senapati district.

To make up the loss pegged at total of Rs 38,59,31,000 attributed to the restive situation in the state, the a project report has been submitted by the home department seeking special package from the central government.

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