154,400 bags of urea distributed : Argi Director

DIPR/OSR
Imphal, Jul 21 : The Agriculture Department, Government of Manipur, on Tuesday highlighted a series of initiatives aimed at improving farmers’ livelihoods through irrigation support, crop insurance, scientific farming, mechanisation and sustainable agriculture.
Speaking at the fifth session of the "Meet the Press" programme organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Director of Agriculture Peter Salam said the Government has distributed 154,400 bags of urea across 170 locations for the 2026 Kharif season.
He said farmers who have not yet received their allotted share of urea can collect the fertiliser from their respective District or Sub-Divisional Agriculture Offices by presenting a land patta or farmer card along with their Aadhaar card.
The officer said the Government is supplying urea at a subsidised rate of Rs 270 per bag and advised farmers to apply no more than three bags of urea per pari (a local unit of land measurement) of paddy land
He also said that the department is providing a Rs 10,000 subsidy on water pump sets under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY).
The scheme also covers sprinkler and drip irrigation systems, with priority given to small, marginal farmers of both hill and valley.
He urged farmers to enrol under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which provides financial protection against crop losses caused by natural calamities, pests and diseases.
To improve service delivery, the department has established around 170 urea distribution centres across the State, through which nearly 1,54,400 bags of urea have been distributed this season, he said.
However, Peter cautioned farmers against excessive use of urea, stressing that balanced fertiliser application based on Soil Health Card recommendations is essential for maintaining soil health and improving productivity.
The Director said nine locations across Manipur have been identified as Model Villages to demonstrate scientific farming practices and the effective implementation done by the soul initiative of the department.
These nine model villages are Basikhongba Chanam Santrok of Imphal East District, Sangaithel of Imphal West district, Langmeidong Mamang Makha Heibi Makhong of Kakching District, Moirang Khunou VDF Camp & Keirenphabi Mamang Loukol of Bishnupur District, Gularthol Village of Jiribam District, Lenglong Village of Tamenglong District, Saranamei Village of Senapati District, B Salvaphai Village of Churachandpur District and Nungbi Khullen Village, Chingai Sub-division of Ukhrul District.
The department will provide agricultural machinery worth Rs 40 lakh for common use, agricultural drones worth Rs 5,00,000, Rs 50,000 per family for vermicompost units, Rs 52,500 and Rs 63,000 for construction of farm ponds in both valley and hill districts respectively, Rs 1600 assistance for bee boxes and 55 percent subsidy on sprinkler sets and quality certified seeds under different schemes.
These villages will receive modern agricultural machinery, including farm equipment and drones, while promoting the use of vermicompost and bio-fertilisers to reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers.
Peter informed that the department is also promoting sustainable farming through the use of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers.
During Kharif season 2025, demonstrations covering 25 hectares across 100 plots were conducted using a combination of 75 percent recommended chemical fertilizers and biofertilizers while increasing crop yield by an average of 480 kg per hectare.
Encouraged by these results, the demonstration area has been expanded to 116 hectares during 2026-27, with the objective of further reduction of chemical fertilizers uses.
The department is also promoting natural farming through the National Mission, which currently covers around 4,000 hectares across all 16 districts during 2025-26.
During 2026-27 the programme will be expanded by an additional 80 clusters covering another 10,000 farmers and 4,000 hectares with efforts underway to expand certification and market linkages.
The Director further said the Manipur Seed and Organic Agency has been established to strengthen certified seed production within the State and reduce dependence on seeds sourced from outside Manipur.
Certified seeds of mustard, soybean, sunflower and other crops are being distributed under various Central schemes.
On the marketing of Chakhao (black rice), he said the State Government is working on measures to strengthen price support for growers.
An Integrated Processing Unit with modern milling, sorting and storage facilities is also being developed at Lamphelpat to improve post-harvest management and marketing, he said.
Several officials of the Agriculture Department attended the programme.