Farmers allege
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 15 2022:
The All Manipur Progressive Farmers' Association (AMPFA) has accused the State Government of being insincere in distributing urea to the farmers and creating fertilizer issues at farming season.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, AMPFA president Konthoujam Thoiba Meetei recalled that over 2000 farmers protested in front of District Agriculture Office (DAO), Imphal West on July 11 as the officials concerned announced that only 250 bags of urea will be distributed to the farmers.
Saying that all the farmers went to DAO to take a bag of each from midnight, he added that the farmers were compelled to protest as the department opted to give only 250 bags of urea which was way lesser than the number of people who had come to take urea.
Asking if the Agriculture Department is not aware of the flaws in the distribution system of fertilizers, he urged the State Government and authorities concerned to take suggestions from the people so that every farmer could get their share of urea.
Reminding that there are many genuine farmers who have been spending several nights on the streets to take at least a bag of urea, Thoiba asked why there are still hundreds of farmers who haven't got any fertilizer from the Government if the department concerned claimed that the State has already lifted about 50 per cent of its fertilizers share.
He also urged the Government to identify the farmers who couldn't come to the DAO to take their share of urea and arrange special measures for them.
Saying that there will always be shortage of urea in the State as long as the Government is not sincere, he urged all farmers from both the hill and valley districts to cooperate in the endeavours of AMPFA.