As several paddy fields in Imphal valley remained parched, the Irabot Foundation Manipur (IFM) on Sunday urged the Manipur government to declare the affected valley districts as facing a drought-like situation.
IFM teams conducted surveys at different valley districts and observed that many paddy fields are parched and the farmers are unable to cultivate due to lack of irrigation water, IFM president Kh Gopen Luwang told reporters at the Manipur Press Club in Imphal.
The teams visited Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching from September 5, he said.
More than 8,320 ‘paris’ (a local measuring unit) are facing a drought-like situation and the farmers are worried about insufficient crop yields, he said.
Even if the rainfall comes in such a situation, it will not be able to undo the prevailing condition, he said.
The state government had declared a drought-like situation in Manipur in 2019. Similarly, it should declare the same for this year as well, he mentioned.
“It has been highly unfortunate that the farmers are still waiting for their compensation for the past two years,” Gopen added.
The Centre had already sanctioned the compensation amount concerning the drought-like conditions of 2019 and the fund should be distributed to the farmers, he said.
The state government must take initiatives for providing sufficient water at irrigation canals, he added.
He also urged the state government to constitute an inquiry committee of irrigation facilities so that the irrigation system in the state can be monitored.
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