Makui sensitised on 'alternative' to poppy plantation
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 12 2022: An awareness and training programme was conducted at Makui village in Kangpokpi district yesterday in a bid to provide former poppy cultivators of the village with another means of livelihood under Chief Minister N Biren Singh's War on Drugs 2.0 campaign.

The programme was organised by the Horticulture and Soil Conservation (H & SC) Department.

Many dignitaries including K Debadutta Sharma, Addl Director, H≻ Sachidananda Soibam, Addl SP, Narcotics & Affairs of Border; P Pramo Devi, District Horticulture Officer, Kangpokpi and Dr Roshan Dangmei, Agriculture Officer, H&SC graced the event as presidium members.

Addressing the gathering, K Debadutta Sharma shared that Chief Minister N Biren Singh had launched the "Cultivation of Horticulture Crops as an Alternative to Poppy Cultivation in Hill Areas" scheme on Friday.

Makui sensitised on 'alternative' to poppy plantation

The following day, a team made their way to Makui village in continuation of this initiative, he added.

He also highlighted the CM's firm and unwavering stand against drugs and added that application of weedicides, pesticides, salt, urea etc in the cultivation of poppy reduces fertility of the soil.

K Debadutta applauded the residents of Makui village for resolving to adopt alternative means of livelihood instead of poppy cultivation adding that the awareness and training programme had been organised to ensure that the villagers receive proper education and information in this regard.

During 2020-21, a pilot project was undertaken in Joujangtek village of Noney district with a fund of Rs 50 lakh to cultivate quinoa, ginger and blueberry in areas where poppy was cultivated earlier.

In continuation of this initiative, the Government has been trying to launch similar pilot projects in villages across Kamjong, Ukhrul, Chandel, Kang-pokpi and Churachandpur districts.

For Kangpokpi district, Makui village was selected, he shared.

Makui produces large quantity of bananas but the need of the hour is to observe and understand which farming system will favour the soil conditions of Makui village and which vegetables or fruits have the potential for long term cultivation and investment, K Debadutta asserted.

He further informed the gathering that quinoa, turmeric and ginger cultivation can be cultivated in the short term while for the long term he suggested cultivating low chilling varieties of apples, oranges and lemons.

For the first phase of this initiative, the Government has set a goal of providing 100 acres of agricultural land to 100 farmers to cultivate these horticulture crops.

If the first phase is carried out without any hitch, the second phase of this initiative might follow soon after, he shared.

The Addl Director also reassured the farmers that the Government had made provisions to buy the horticulture produces, thereby eliminating the problem of lack of proper market places.

He urged the farmers of Makui village to proceed without any worries as they had ample agricultural land with good soil health and favourable agro-climate.

The Addl Director also fielded many questions posed by the farmers present at the programme.

Sachidananda Soibam also spoke at the awareness cum training programme and focused on the illegality of poppy cultivation.

On behalf of the police fraternity, he appealed to everyone present to refrain from getting involved in poppy cultivation.

Aside from the unlawful aspect of poppy cultivation, he also informed the people about its negative environmental impacts.

Further, he shared that in 2022, 26 individuals had been apprehended in connection with poppy cultivation.

A crime of this nature can invite a prison sentence of up to 10 years, he added.

He also warned that a second time offender may be sentenced up to 20 years in prison and a third time offender may receive capital punishment.

Meanwhile, Dr Roshan Dangmei showed everyone a PowerPoint presentation on the topic of "Disease Management of Horticulture Crops" and also spoke at length on the matter.