Food crisis imminent, cautions Irabot Foundation
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 03 2023:
While observing that more than 10,000 hectares of agricultural land in the foothill areas might not see paddy plantation this season thereby leading to imminent shortage of food-grains in the state by 30-40,000 metric tonnes, Irabot Foundation Manipur expressed apprehension over outbreak of civil warlike situation due to food crisis if the government fails to act immediately.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here on Monday, Foundation's president Kh Gopen Luwang pointed out that attacks by Kuki militants since May 3 has affected every community in the state, especially the peasants.
Recalling the official report that agricultural activities might not be possible in 5000 hectares of agricul -tural land as a consequence of the conflict, he said that the foundation conducted a five-day survey from June 28 in the foothill areas on possibility of commencing paddy plantation with security protection.
However, the survey found out that 10,000 hectares of agricultural lands in peripheral areas cannot be cultivated despite having security protection, he said, and opined that the existing threat perception and attacks by Kuki militants will drastically reduce the food-grain yield.
As per the foundation's estimation one person in one lakh population might go hungry, Gopen revealed, adding that in addition to annual deficit of 2 lakh metric tonnes of food grain in the state, the imminent loss of 30-40,000 metric tonnes will be detrimental to aspiration and initiatives for realisation of the goal of self-sufficient state.
Stating that more than 40,000 central armed forces are deployed in the state, Gopen suggested for deployment of the security personnel in the foothills so that farmers could focus on their traditional works.