Farmers' Wing espouses food self-sufficiency
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 12 2025: No society will progress without becoming self-reliant on food, said AB Elangbam, convenor of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) Farmers' Wing, as he urged the people of Manipur to put in maximum efforts to make the State self-sufficient in food.

He made the statement during a subsidised urea fertilizer distribution programme held at Pukhao Laipham Community Hall today.

The programme was organised by the Agriculture department in association with COCOMI Farmers' Wing.

Addressing the function, AB Elangbam said that the crisis in Manipur, which has been ongoing since May 3, 2023, has greatly affected the State's economy, with many paddy farms becoming inaccessible to farmers.

Paddy lands as large as 9,712 hectares and 7,900 hectares were abandoned in 2023 and 2024, respectively, due to the crisis, he said, adding that many paddy lands remain inaccessible to farmers this year as well.

Saying that Manipur will continue to suffer if farmers are unable to work, he added that Manipur will never progress if the State relies on other States for everything.

He asserted that the Gov-eminent must ensure the safety of farmers so that they can work by preventing illegal immigrants from dominating areas and attacking even farmers.

AB Elangbam appealed to the farmers to work extra hard to increase Manipur's food production, so as to reduce reliance on others.

Agriculture Fertilizers Officer (AFO) Loitongbam Sanatomba said that farmers should not worry about not getting their due share of subsidized urea fertilizers.

He said that the Government will continue to provide all possible assistance to the farmers.

Saying that excessive use of urea causes health hazards, he appealed to the farmers to use the fertilizers judiciously.

Nodal Officer of National Food Security Mission W Subash also attended the programme among others.

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