CM calls for strengthening agriculture sector
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, October 30 2026: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand has called for strengthening the agriculture sector in order to revive the State's economy.

The Chief Minister was speaking at a PM Kisan Utsav Diwas held today at Manipur State Film Development Society, Palace Compound where the 24th instalment of PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi amounting to Rs 2.95 crore was distributed to 14,740 farmers of the State.

The Chief Minister said that Manipur's economy had suffered considerably due to the unprecedented crisis in the State, with the revenue sector, including GST collections, also being adversely affected.

CM calls for strengthening agriculture sector

He observed that agriculture remains one of the strongest pillars of Manipur's economy and plays a crucial role in reviving economic activities and generating income.

The Chief Minister also mentioned the contributions and potential of Horticulture, Handloom & Handi- craft and Tourism sectors.

He said that before the crisis, the State's economy was supported by several sectors, including agriculture, horticulture, hand- loom and handicrafts, and tourism.

However, the prevailing situation had brought considerable hardships to people, with daily wage earners and those dependent on their daily livelihoods bearing the greatest burden.

Yumnam Khemchand stressed that developing the agriculture sector and enhancing its contribution to the State's economy would require collective commitment and sincerity at every level.

He said that the officers, along with those working directly in the fields, must discharge their respective responsibilities with dedication to achieve better progress.

Highlighting the need to increase agricultural productivity, the Chief Minister observed that farmers in Manipur had traditionally practised single-crop cultivation, leaving agricultural fields unused for nearly six months in many parts of the State.

He urged the Agriculture Department to work towards making double cropping possible across all agricultural areas, thereby ensuring better utilisation of land and increasing farmers' income.

He also acknowledged the steps being taken by the Horticulture Department in this regard.

On organic farming, Khemchand stated that the Agriculture Department had successfully undertaken organic cultivation across 400 hectares in the previous phase, while another 400 hectares are targeted for the current year.

He emphasised that organic farming should be promoted further, considering its potential to create greater economic opportunities for farmers.

Khemchand further pointed out that organic cultivation involved greater time, effort and care, and therefore, farmers must be assured of better market access and remunerative returns.

Observing that an increasing section of middle-income and upper-income consumers was shifting towards organic products, he suggested that the Agriculture Department should focus on establishing more dedicated organic product outlets across the State.

He expressed confidence that expanding such outlets would create a reliable market for locally produced organic goods, encourage more farmers to take up organic cultivation and generate additional revenue for the State.

During the programme, financial assistance and other benefits were distributed to farmers and farmer groups under various schemes.

These included financial assistance of Rs 60,000 each for the purchase of water pumps under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM); Rs 50,000 per unit for the construction of vermicompost units under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY); and Rs 1 lakh each for the installation of mini oil mills under the National Mission on Edible Oils-Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) .

Mustard oilseeds and bee boxes were also distributed to farmer groups under NMEO-OS for the Rabi season, while pea and gram seeds were provided to farmer groups under the Pulse Mission.

Subsidised knapsack sprayers were also distributed under SMAM .

14,740 farmers from Manipur received financial assistance amounting to Rs 2.95 crore today.

The programme was attended by MLAs, dignitaries, senior officials of the Agriculture Department and a large number of farmers from different parts of the State.

A National level PM Kisan Utsav Diwas held in Gujarat where Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 24th instalment of PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi was live streamed at the function held at MSFDS, Palace Compound.