Deficient rain hits Ukhrul farmers
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

�khrul, August 30 2023: Insufficient rainfall during the June- July period has resulted in a setback to agricultural activities to farmers in performing agricultural activities particularly rice transplantation in Ukhrul and some neighbouring villages.

It is reported that Akanglui farmers have stopped paddy plantations after the withering of Maireiwon (hedychium coccineum) flowers.

Akanglui is a type of terrace agricultural farming practiced by the Tangkhul community and it depends entirely on monsoon rain wiht no provisions of canal irrigation.

Deficient rain hits Ukhrul farmers

Terrace dykes called "Tankui '' coated with soil are prepared to store water in Akanglui farming.

It might be mentioned that roughly 15-20 per cent farmers in Hunphun /Ukhrul village practise Akanglui farming method.

Speaking to this correspondent, Shimreisa Ragui of Kasomtang, Ukhrul said that they are unable to transplant rice seedlings this year due to shortage of rainfall.

Another farmer Raleng Vasha stated that his paddy field in Tongtai areas is now barren despite putting in all the efforts to trap rainwater by constructing terrace dykes.

Headman of Ngainga Village informed that 20 Akanglui farmers from his village have abandoned rice plantations due to scarcity of rainwater.

Paddy fields in Hammilakang and Shangfa which used to produce over 1000 tins of rice every year have also been affected by acute shortage of water during the plantation season.

Some of the Akanglui located in Hunphun/ Ukhrul village which are facing acute water shortage issues are Tongtai, Kahong, Malung, Ngaleimalung, Yira, Khongrei, and Ramyao among others.

Maireiwon usually blooms at its peaks during the end of June and starts to wither in early July.

There is a general belief at Hunphun/Ukhrul village that paddy transplantation is a futile exercise when Maireiwon blooms as the paddy fails to bear seeds.

Subsequently, following the natural blooming cycle of the plant, the Hunphun/Ukhrul village headman will fix the date for celebration of Mangkhap Festival ( post plantation festival) to mark the end of annual rice transplantation as per Tangkhul traditional belief.