CAU VC advocates multiple cropping
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 30 2015 : Pointing out that cultivation of paddy alone cannot generate any substantial income, Central Agricultural University Vice-Chancellor Dr Moirangthem Premjit has exhorted farmers to cultivate multiple variety of crops including Rabi crops.

Talking exclusively with The Sangai Express, Dr Premjit said that farmers of Manipur have been cultivating paddy as the principal crop as rice is the staple diet of the State even though they are aware that cultivation of paddy is least profitable.

Nonetheless, farmers can augment their income by cultivating Rabi crops after harvesting paddy.

A farmer can earn just Rs 12,000 or Rs 13,000 by cultivating paddy over one pari in a season after subtracting all the investments.

This implies that a farmer can earn a meagre Rs 1000 in a month.

Adopting modern and scientific methods of cultivation can certainly enhance crop productivity and ultimately make Manipur self-reliant in terms of food grains and vegetables.

A farmer can earn around Rs 24,000 by cultivating mustard with zero tillage over one pari after harvesting paddy.

If four bee-hives are placed in different corners of one pari of paddy field where mustard has been cultivated, the farmer can reap 12 to 14 litres of honey in a month and this can earn him additional Rs 4200 in a month, asserted the Vice-Chancellor.

Farmers can cultivate mustard over paddy fields with zero tillage when paddy stalks are still there.

Farmers whose paddy fields were inundated by floods this paddy season can now cultivate mustard in order to make up for the losses.

CAU would take certain measures under which farmers would be given mustard seeds for cultivation in vacant paddy fields.

Apart from mustard, farmers can also cultivate pea, potato, onion, cabbage etc.

By cultivating pea, potato, onion or cabbage, a farmer can earn Rs 24,000 to Rs 27,000 from one pari.

Cultivating of Rabi crops after harvesting paddy can fetch a farmer around Rs 36,000 from one pari.

Setting cattle loose soon after the paddy season is over is one main problem in cultivating Rabi crops in vacant paddy fields.

This problem can be effectively addressed if there is unity among farmers, Dr Premjit said.

Some innovative and hard-working farmers have succeeded in keeping their fields green all the year round thereby earning a substantial amount of income consistently.

Extensive cultivation of Rabi crops in vacant paddy fields is seen at Kakching and Wabagai in Thoubal district.

Many farmers of Yairipok Yambem, Top Chingtha and Andro in Imphal East district can now enhance their income by cultivating different varieties of Rabi crops under the guidance and supervision of CAU, Imphal.

Adoption of community farming methods for cultivation of Rabi crops after the paddy season is over would go a long way in alleviating their economic condition which would in turn improve the State's economy, asserted the VC.

Many schemes taken up primarily for the welfare of farmers can be more fruitful if there is cooperation and unity among farmers of the State.

Now some handful of people have been enjoying most of the benefits given through different schemes.

This can be effectively checked if farmers are made aware of these schemes and there is unity among them, Dr Premjit added.

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