Director State Horticulture and Soil Conservation Kakchingtabam Debadutta Sharma on Tuesday stressed that Manipur needs to implement a crop policy to mitigate the loss faced by the farmers as a result of crop damage due to natural and artificial causes.
The farmers’ organisations or groups need to push the government to implement such a policy, he said while attending the observation of ‘World Farmers’ Day’ at Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul, Imphal as chief guest. The programme was organised by Loyalup, Kangleipak.
Due to the lack of a crop policy in the state, the farmers have been facing various issues starting from selection of crops to the selling of their produce in the market. They are also facing issues during crop damage caused by natural or artificial phenomena, he added.
If a crop policy is fully implemented in the state, then the farmers might not face the issues concerning irrigation, he further said. “If Dubai can export their crops in large scale, then why would not the farmers of Manipur, which has a better ecosystem, be able to produce good crops and agricultural products,” he added.
Due to the lack of the crop policy, the farmers including skilled farmers are unable to produce varieties of crops and agricultural products. To implement the policy, the farmers’ organisations or groups should push the government to implement the policy, and the department is ready to extend its necessary assistance for the farmers, said Debadutta.
If crop policy is not implemented, then it will be difficult to bring developmental changes in agricultural farming, he asserted.
Associate professor, DM College of Arts Thongam Ibotombi Singh said the state has a low budget for the agriculture sector. This is the reason most of the farmers are facing issues whether during drought or flood season, he added.
He said the state government needs to increase the state budget for the agriculture sector instead of waiting for central funding.
Working President of Loyalup, Kangleipak Tourangbam Birjit said the organisation was formed with the objectives to bring welfare for the farmers. The farmers are the backbone of a society, and the society also needs to support the farmers.
Due to the recent hailstorm, many farmers faced severe loss but the government is also providing necessary assistance for the affected farmers, and the organisation is also providing assistance for the farmers.
He further said the organisation will be continuing providing its effort for the welfare of the farmers of Manipur in the near future also.
Project director, MOMA, Department of Agriculture, government of Manipur; managing director, Thangjam Agro Industries Private Limited, Thangjam Joykumar Singh also attended the function as guests of honour.
As a part of the function, a two-minute silence was also observed to pay respects towards those who were martyred during the ongoing crisis.
