COCOMI farmers' wing demands Rabi crop seeds
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 16 2023: Highlighting the impact of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the state on the farming community, COCOMI Farmers' Wing has demanded department concerned to provide horticulture crop seeds to farmers by October 25 .

Addressing a press meet at UCM office, Lamphelpat, here, on Monday, Wing convenor Thoiba Meetei said that the violence started by Kuki-Zo militants on May 3 has severely affected the farmers, especially in the foothill areas as they continue to face persistent attacks from the armed militants.

Not only agriculture sector has been affected by the crisis but also the animal husbandry sector, he noted.

While pointed out many have also lost their source of income, Thoiba said blockade on the national highways is also affecting the society significantly with farmers one of the most affected groups of people.

In such a situation, extending assistance to the farmers in the form of horticulture crop seeds would provide them opportunity to recover their loss at least to some extent, he said.

The convenor further said that early harvest has begun in some places and sowing the seeds just after harvesting will provide them some benefits in terms of tending to the crops.

Considering these factors, he appealed to the government to distribute Rabi crop seeds by October 25 while assuring necessary assistance from COCOMI Farmers' Wing in ensuring the seeds to reach the targeted population.

Appealing to the state govern-' ment and department concerned to provide adequate security for protecting the standing crops so as to ensure successful harvest without any damage to the crop as well as the farmers, Thoiba also drew attention of the water resources and minor irrigation departments for taking up necessary measures to provide irrigation water to farmlands.

He also demanded the government to make an update on proposal of the Rs 6 crore package for affected farmers in view of insufficient rainfall.

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