Taking steps to promote organic farming: Agriculture Director
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 22 2025: Director Peter Salam has announced that the Agriculture Department has been reaching out to the farmers to discontinue use of chemical fertilizers and shift towards organic and natural farming.

Addressing those gathered at input distribution-cum-session on "Farmer's Field Level Demonstration on Use of Bio-fertilizer in Rice Cultivation" jointly organised by the Agriculture Department and Green Biotech EcoSolutions Pvt Ltd at Lainigthou Pureiromba Mandop, Lamlai Awang Leikai, on Sunday, the director informed that the distribution of fertilizers to farmers began on June 16 and will continue until June 25 to ensure there is no shortage.

He also urged farmers to avoid using chemical fertilisers as much as possible and instead adopt bio-fertilisers.

The director called upon farmers to use chemical fertilisers only when absolutely necessary, adding that the agriculture department aims to gradually reduce their use each year and eventually replace them entirely with organic and natural farming.

Peter Salam also informed that the initiative will cover a total of 225 'sangam' of paddy fields - 150 in Imphal East, 50 in Imphal West, and 25 in Thoubal.

In these areas, 75 percent of the usual chemical fertiliser (urea) will be applied, while the remaining 25 percent will be substituted with bio-fertilisers.

Acknowledging the challenges in shifting from chemical to bio-fertilisers, he said that voluntary farmers participating in the initiative will receive training from experts on the proper use of bio-fertilisers.

He further stated that the use of bio-fertilisers is expected to increase agricultural yield by around 10 percent.

Farmers will be made aware that biofertilisers not only help improve yield but also enhance soil fertility.

By the time the crops are harvested, they will have first-hand experience of the initiative's effectiveness, maintained the director.

Peter also informed that to encourage and motivate the voluntary farmers, around 200 of them will be provided paddy seeds at subsidised rate of Rs 6 per kg through the ICAR and KVK.

The programme was also attended by MOVCDNER Cell nodal officer Kh Nimaichand and Green Biotech EcoSolu-tions director Dr Asem Sun deri as members on the dais.

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