By – Ricky Angkang
Ukhrul, July 5:
In a sad development, the Sirarakhong potato farms in Manipur’s west of Ukhrul district which is widely known for its large -scale production in the state has been severely hit due to poor rainfall and long dry spells in the region.
Potato is one of the main source of livelihoods for the locals of Sirarakhong village.
A locally produce one kilo of potato fetches rupees 40 to 45 in the market. While one bag containing around 50 kgs costs 20,00 to 2,200 rupees.
Ninah Zimik, 50- year -old, a farmer who has been cultivating potato since 2000 said that she had planted around 100 kgs worth potato at her farm site measuring about 1 acre with the hope to have bumper harvest.
“It’s sad to see how my farms were devastated by poor rainfall and hot temperature. Had there been adequate water supply I wouldn’t have had incurred such losses. “I was hoping to cultivate not less than 80 bags worth potato (each bag contains about 50 to 55 kilos). However, this was quite contrary to what I was hoping for as climate – induced changes have ravaged my hard labour.”
“All that i cultivated was a mere 15 bags,” she expressed with pangs of agony.
Last year I earned approximately 1 lakh and 50 thousand rupees from its sale. This season I generate only 30, 000 thousand rupees. These is a huge burden and setbacks for a hardworking farmers like me who had no other alternative crops.
There are several poor farmers like Zimik’s who had reported crop failure.
My husband and i have been running our family affairs through farming for the last two decade. Now our only hope is Sirarakhong chilli (locally called Hathei).
Situated about 2 kms from the village, the duo religiously frequent the farms to ensure that weeds are tended and necessary manure are adequately provided. “After a painstaking effort and investment including labour, time and money, etc. all I got in return was a poor harvest, she lamented.
Known for its famed chilli ( hathei) production in the state and other northeastern region of India, the locals also observed Sirarakhong hathei festival.
Commenting on the massive decline in potato yieds, Horticulture officer Ukhrul said that the department had not received any complaints so far from the farmers. He however assures to look into the matter.
Thothingwon Woleng, 40, was another grower from the local who had incurred heavy loss.
I had planted 70 kgs worth potato in my farm. But in return all that I cultivated was an meagre 10 bags. “How would I manage and support my family now”, a visibly worried Woleng expressed.
“I never knew that climatic conditions would be that disastrous in nature. Now farming has slowly become like a game of luck even if I don’t want to believe it as the prevailing condition in the region clearly indicates. Now my confidence has been shaken with my main source of livelihood being crippled,” Woleng shared.
By next year I would go for crops that requires less water because there is no guarantee for crops which requires timely water supply. In fact, it is a waste of time, labour and money.
As per the reports culled from the local, farmers have reported crop failure with their production reduced by more than 60 per cent. Unlike other villages, majority of Sirarakhong villagers mainly devote their focus toward farming, and not on paddy crop plantation.
The local farmers attributed this to good yields, better income and sustainable livelihood.
The long drys spells coupled with high temperature and humidity level had scorched several to death and prevented the surviving ones to have its normal growth.
With climatic conditions becoming more complex and given the spike in climate realities incidences in the region, introduction of climate resilient crops like millet and less water requirement crops like maize by farmers has become all the more important to address any unforseen events.
This article is published under the 5th State Level media fellowship programme on Climate Change Reporting, an initiative of Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Manipur (State Climate Change Cell, Porompat, Imphal).
