COCOMI Farmers' Wing advocates for food self-sufficiency
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, November 12 2023: The COCOMI Farmers' Wing has made a call to farmers of the State to cultivate a habit for hardwork to promote self-sufficiency in food production, improvement in economy and good health.

COCOMI Farmers' Wing made the statement during a farmers' awareness programme cum seeds distribution of Rabi crops held at Yairipok Kekru under Thoubal district jointly sponsored by District Horticulture and Soils Conservation, MOMA and NIDH and organised by COCOMI Farmers' Wing, which is an apex body of farmers' associations such as AMPFA, KaPFA, LALLUP, LOUSAL and LOYALUP.

The event was graced by Zakir Hussain, Mission Director, Horticulture and Soils Conservation as the chief guest; L Shyam Khuman, co-convenor, COCOMI Farmers' Wing as the functional president and Konjengbam Ito, vice-chairman, Yairipok Municipal Council and Moirangthem Biren, vice president, KaPFA as the guests of honour.

COCOMI Farmers' Wing advocates for food self-sufficiency

Speaking on the occasion, L Shyam Khuman said that the ongoing unrest has severely impacted the State's economy.

Stating that people should face the crisis and at the same time work towards improving their economic conditions, L Shyam Khuman also underscored the importance of growing crops organically instead of using chemicals in order to maintain good health.

"When the national highways are blocked for a few days, there is shortage of food items in the State", he said while pointing out the State's dependence on goods and food items imported from other states.

In the olden days, the forefathers produced ample crops and vegetables and thus sustained a self-sufficient lifestyle without outside dependance.

Thus, he urged people to follow in their footsteps and cultivate the habit of hardwork and adopt updated technology and farming techniques to increase the yield of crops and become self-sufficient in food production.

He added that winter seeds had previously been distributed in different localities of Bishnupur, Thoubal, Imphal West, Imphal East Kakching districts and more were distributed today in five different areas.

Meanwhile Zakir Hussain stated that the State Government has distributed seeds and other necessary items for farming from time to time.

However, a majority of farmers remain unaware of such farming benefits.

Asserting that there is a District Officer posted in every district, Zakir Hussain urged farmers to contact their respective District Officer and educate themselves about the various benefits provided by the State and Central Government.

Seeds of Rabi crops such as cauliflower, tomatoes, peas etc were distributed to the attending farmers.