Tamenglong's potential in agriculture sector stressed
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, October 11 2025: In a major stride towards achieving agricultural self-reliance, two flagship National initiatives - Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaany a Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses - were launched at a State-level event organised by the Department of Agriculture at the MSFDS Auditorium, Imphal today.

Chief Secretary Dr Puneet Kumar Goel, while addressing the gathering, described the launch as a "transformative step" under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"These initiatives reaffirm the Government's commitment to strengthening the agriculture sector, ensuring nutritional security, and enhancing farmers' welfare," he said.

The Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, a Centrally sponsored scheme with an outlay of Rs 11,400 crore, aims to make India self-sufficient in pulses production.

The mission seeks to expand cultivation by 35 lakh hectares, develop and distribute high-yielding seed varieties, and ensure greater accessibility of seeds and inputs for farmers.

Highlighting Manipur's agricultural potential, Dr Goel noted that "We must aim to bring Tamenglong among the top ten districts in the National ranking".

He urged relevant departments to work collaboratively under the Agriculture Department's leadership.

The Chief Secretary further emphasised that the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) will serve as a comprehensive convergence-based model for integrated development in India's 100 least-developed agricultural districts.

Instead of creating new funding channels, the scheme will prioritise the convergence of existing departmental resources to deliver visible results.

The NITI Aayog will periodically rank the selected districts based on performance indicators, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Additional Chief Secretary (Agriculture) Vivek Kumar Dewangan informed that Tamenglong district has been chosen under the PMDDKY.

"Tamenglong has immense potential but faces challenges such as low crop yield and water scarcity.

PMDDKY will address these gaps and ensure the State's meaningfill contribution to National food security," he stated.

Modelled on the Aspirational District Programme of the NITI Aayog, PMDDKY aims to boost agricultural productivity through the convergence of 36 existing schemes across 11 different Ministries.

The scheme's focus areas include crop diversification, irrigation improvement, credit access, and sustainable farming techniques.

The Department of Agriculture has announced plans to distribute 1,400 quintals of mustard, pea, and lentil seeds under the National Mission on Edible Oils by the end of October, Dewangan informed.

Additionally, 40,000 bags of urea will be distributed to farmers during the first phase of the Rabi season, he added.

The Additional Chief Secretary also informed that plans are also being drawn up to enhance post-harvest storage at Panchayat and Block level, improve irrigation systems, promote horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries, and strengthen coordination with NABARD and financial institutions for credit support.

The monitoring of the schemes and projects at the State level will be headed by the Chief Secretary, and at district level by the district-level committee, led by the Deputy Commissioner.

Detailed action plans will be prepared at district level by the end of October, Dewangan said.

The Agriculture Department will share Tamenglong's model action plan as a best-practice reference for other districts, he added.

Dewangan also encouraged local producers to obtain Agmark certification to enhance product credibility and market reach.

A highlight of the launch event was the felicitation of AKOI Rice Mill Associates which received the first Agmark certification for Chakhao (aromatic black rice), a milestone for Manipur's agricultural products.

Certificates of recognition were also presented to AKOI Rice Mill Associates, YELHOU Farmer Producer Company Ltd, SANNA LEIPAK Organic FPC, and CHUMTHANG Organic Farmers Producer Company Ltd.

Each receiving a Rs 7.5 lakh subsidy for vehicle procurement under the farmer assistance programme.

Additionally, selected formers received pumps and sprinkler sets under PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and power sprayers under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).

Soil Health Cards were also distributed under the Soil Health and Fertility Programme.

Additional Chief Secretary (Textiles, Commerce & Industry), Anurag Bajpai and officials of the Agriculture Department attended the event.

At the National level, the schemes were launched by the Prime Minister at New Delhi.

Live telecast of the event was also shown during the function at Imphal.

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