Imphal, November 14 2009: Collective paddy cultivation launched by the Kangleipak Ching Tam Trade Union, Manipur in collaboration with Agriculture Department is heading towards success this harvesting season.

The union cultivated paddy in 10 pari of land in Imphal West, three pari in Bishnupur, two pari each in Senapati and Chandel and five pari in Thoubal district, said its general secretary N Sadananda.

Except in Thoubal district, SRI method of cultivation was applied in the other districts under the guidance of ICDP-Rice programme in-charge L Ibomcha.

The quantity of crop yield from harvested fields, estimated yield from standing crops and reports furnished by farmers suggest that the minimum yield is 35 sacks of rice per sangam.

Members of the union together with ICDP-Rice programme in-charge Ibomcha made field visits at Mongsangei Senapati Loukon, Kabowakching Maning Loukon and Maibamlokpa Ching Loukon where SRI method was applied in rice cultivation.

Owner of the paddy at Mongsangei Senapati Loukon and Editor of the Kangleipakki Meira daily, Wangkhemcha Shyamjai of Mongsangei Mayai Leikai said he cultivated PAC-801 hybrid variety of rice under SRI method.

Saying that the rice seeds for cultivation was provided by Agriculture Department under ICDP-Rice, Shyamjai said the rice crops would be harvested on November 16 and 17 .

He confided that he was expecting around 50 sacks of rice per sangam.

Attributing the increased yield to SRI method and the assistance provided by the Additional Director and officials of Agriculture Department, Shyamjai observed that one primary factor for the increased yield is birth of around 40 plants from a single paddy plant.

ICDP-Rice programme in-charge L Ibomcha said that Agriculture Department introduced SRI method under instruction from Agriculture Minister N Loken with the aim to make up annual rice yield which was declining due to water scarcity this season.

Claiming that SRI method has started giving positive results, Ibomcha said that farmers would be provided free seeds of PAC-807 rice variety for cultivation in irrigated fields for early cropping next season.

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