Dry fields stall agricultural activities
|
By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 2 : Apprehension has gripped many farmers across Manipur as they remain unable to begin paddy transplantation despite the onset of July.
With the monsoon yet to bring adequate rainfall, vast stretches of paddy fields across the State's valley districts remain dry, preventing farmers from preparing their fields for transplantation.
The situation has been compounded by the lack of irrigation facilities in many agricultural areas, leaving farmers almost entirely dependent on rainfall.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, Thoiba Konthoujam, co-convenor of the COCOMI farmers' wing, said the fate of farmers remains uncertain due to inadequate rainfall during the ongoing Kharif agricultural season.
He also said that a large number of families in the State earn their livelihood through paddy cultivation and other agriculture-related activities.
Saying that vast stretches of paddy fields, especially in foothill areas remain abandoned due to the ongoing crisis in Manipur, Thoiba said that farmers who had already spent money on hiring tractors and other preparatory works are now distressed due to the lack of rainfall.
Several paddy fields remain dry despite the presence of lakes, rivers, dams and barrages, as the Government didn't build adequate canals and irrigation facilities, he said, adding that the problem is an artificial one created by the Government.
He also said that departments associated with agriculture and allied sectors, such as Agriculture, Water Resources and Horticulture, need to work together and formulate a long-term policy to ensure adequate irrigation facilities for farmers.
Thoiba also expressed the desire for scientists at ICAR, CAU, KVK, etc, to develop paddy varieties that can grow in erratic water conditions so as to reduce dependence on rainfall for paddy cultivation.
Continuing that the Agriculture Department must be headed by persons with knowledge of agriculture, he added that appointing an officer without agricultural expertise as Agriculture Director would not help the sector progress.
Irabot Foundation Manipur president Kh Gopen also said that transplantation has not begun at most of the paddy fields across the valley districts due to the lack of rainfall.
He urged the Government to look into the matter and develop adequate irrigation facilities.
IMPHAL, Jul 2 : Apprehension has gripped many farmers across Manipur as they remain unable to begin paddy transplantation despite the onset of July.
With the monsoon yet to bring adequate rainfall, vast stretches of paddy fields across the State's valley districts remain dry, preventing farmers from preparing their fields for transplantation.
The situation has been compounded by the lack of irrigation facilities in many agricultural areas, leaving farmers almost entirely dependent on rainfall.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, Thoiba Konthoujam, co-convenor of the COCOMI farmers' wing, said the fate of farmers remains uncertain due to inadequate rainfall during the ongoing Kharif agricultural season.
He also said that a large number of families in the State earn their livelihood through paddy cultivation and other agriculture-related activities.
Saying that vast stretches of paddy fields, especially in foothill areas remain abandoned due to the ongoing crisis in Manipur, Thoiba said that farmers who had already spent money on hiring tractors and other preparatory works are now distressed due to the lack of rainfall.
Several paddy fields remain dry despite the presence of lakes, rivers, dams and barrages, as the Government didn't build adequate canals and irrigation facilities, he said, adding that the problem is an artificial one created by the Government.
He also said that departments associated with agriculture and allied sectors, such as Agriculture, Water Resources and Horticulture, need to work together and formulate a long-term policy to ensure adequate irrigation facilities for farmers.
Thoiba also expressed the desire for scientists at ICAR, CAU, KVK, etc, to develop paddy varieties that can grow in erratic water conditions so as to reduce dependence on rainfall for paddy cultivation.
Continuing that the Agriculture Department must be headed by persons with knowledge of agriculture, he added that appointing an officer without agricultural expertise as Agriculture Director would not help the sector progress.
Irabot Foundation Manipur president Kh Gopen also said that transplantation has not begun at most of the paddy fields across the valley districts due to the lack of rainfall.
He urged the Government to look into the matter and develop adequate irrigation facilities.