Fields inspected
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 08 2024:
A team of Horticulture and Soil Conservation officials has inspected some plantation sites which were severely affected by the intense hailstorm/thunderstorm which swept through parts of Manipur on the evening of May 5, today.
The team led by the Additional Director of the Horticulture and Soil Conservation Zakir Hussain Khan carried out the inspection tour at several areas of Thoubal district viz Wangjing, Heirok, Tentha, Langathel, and Sangai-yumpham and took stock of the damage inflicted by the natural calamity.
District Horticulture and Soil Conservation Officer of Thoubal Kh Malemnganba also took part in the inspection tour.
Speaking to the media on the sideline of the visit, Zakir Hussain said that they came for the inspection under the instruction of Horticulture and Soil Conservation Commissioner T Pamei to gather information of the damage wreaked by the hailstorm/thunderstorm on standing crops and vegetables to provide compensation to the affected farmers.
Saying that they witnessed several plantation sites including some cabbage farms being damaged by the natural calamity in Thoubal, he assured that the Government will take up all necessary initiatives to assist the affected farmers.
Further stating that cabbage is covered by crop insurance, the Horticulture officer continued that those farmers who had applied for crop insurance will get compensation from the Central Government too.
Appealing to all farmers to apply for crop insurance and also take the benefit of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), Zakir Hussain added that they will take out the same inspection tour in other areas too.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) aims to support production in agriculture by providing affordable crop insurance to ensure comprehensive risk cover for crops of farmers against all non-preventable natural risks from pre-sowing to post-harvest stage, on an 'Area Approach Basis' .
A farmer from Wangjing Hodamba Mayai Leikai Maibam Dinesh said that he planted about 30,000 cabbages in his farm and was expecting to earn about Rs 1,00,000 from it.
Saying that all the cabbages have been spoiled by the hailstorm, the farmer added that he, however, didn't apply for insurance at the time of plantation.
He appealed to the State Government to provide some sort of compensation to him for the loss while assuring that he definitely will apply for crop insurance next time.