Other than financial support, Fertilizers; more is needed to support farmers

Among the 25,000 farmers in the state of Manipur, 7,000 farmers registered with the Department of Agriculture, Government of Manipur, will be provided financial support from the government under MOVCDNER, Phase –III (2020-23). Minister in charge of Agriculture Thongam Biswajit announced this yesterday through media. He also assured urea fertilizers at Rs. 267/- per bag to all the farmers of the state. These are good news, but the government of Manipur needs to look into other problems other than financial assistance and fertilizers, to ensure that paddy fields in the state produce good crops in harvesting seasons.
In June 9, 2022 edition of this newspaper, we have highlighted and drew the attention of the state government to look into the matters on how large number of paddy fields went dry and many more inundated under water due to errors committed by various government department in the state.
35.5 hectors of paddy land in Imphal East are being devastated due to constructions of Ring Band by the Environment and Ecology Department and also a Dam constructed by the Minor Irrigation Department of the government of Manipur at Yaral Loukol. On the other hand around 250 Pari of Paddy fields at Kakching Khunou in Kakching district remain dry during this cultivation season due to occupation by vested interest people at water ways that supply water to the paddy fields. Farmers in these affected regions are waiting for action from the government not for monetary assistance or fertilizers but rather solutions to the man made flood and draught.
On the other hand, Agricultural lands in the state are protected under the “Manipur Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2014”. But the definition of protection or conservation should cover all round support to cultivation lands including supply of irrigations too. Without adequate supply of water or over excess of water due to error committed by the government department, should also be looked after if the government is serious in providing not only better lives to the farmers but also the state.
If the state government is serious in Agricultural sectors, an inquiry committee should be established to look into the problems being faced by the farmers of Yaral Loukol in Imphal East districts and also by those at Kakching Khunou in Kakching district. If the government authority turn deaf to this specific problems than giving financial assistance to around 7000 farmers or ensuring fertilizers bag at Rs. 267/- is not going to help the state in paddy productions.