Loitang Chaprou Loukon, Ngakra Loukon fields bone dry
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 22 2022: Paddy fields of Loitang Chaprou Loukon and Ngakra Loukon under Sekmai assembly constituency in Imphal West district have dried up and cracks started forming, thereby leaving farmers of the area completely disheartened and staring at imminent crop failure this year.

Majority of farmers of the two Loukon (fields) are tenants and so in view of the present situation they fear whether they would be able to provide necessary share of harvested paddy rice to land owners or not.

With no hope of harvest, leave aside a bumper one, some farmers of the area have drawn attention of the agriculture department for providing alternative crops which could make up the losses from paddy cultivation.

According to secretary of the newly formed Lourok Committee Loitang Khunou Kharibam Ingoba, the lean rainfall received by the state this year has affected around 200 Pari of paddy fields of Loitang Chaprou Loukon and Ngakra Loukon as there is no irrigation facility.

Accordingly, farmers of the area have no hope of harvest though paddy seedlings were planted at the right time in June.

Majority of farmers of the area being tenants bear entire cost of paddy plantation on their own but they are now unable to continue the same as paddy fields are extremely dry and developed huge cracks.

With no irrigation facility, farmers of Loitang Khunou relied on seasonal rain every year for paddy plantation but face problem when there is scanty rainfall.

This problem can be solved if a dam is constructed at Chirang Maning which is part of Sahi Lok (stream) and stored water for irrigation, Ingoba suggested and urged the department concerned to look into the matter seriously and take up steps for constructing a dam at Chirang Maning.

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