Civil society organisation COCOMI’s Farmers Wing Co-Convenor Konthoujam Thoiba Meitei has called for concerted efforts by the government and concerned departments to provide quality seeds to farmers to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen the state’s economy.
He made the statement during a one-day awareness-cum-training programme on “Importance of Quality Seeds Production of Field Crop for Farmers of Manipur”, organised under the HRD Programme of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Seed (Crop), College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, at Konthoujam Makha Leikai.
The programme was attended by Head of the Department of Genetic and Plant Breeding and AICRP Seed (Crop) Co-PI Prof. Dr Th. Renuka, Scientist Dr Pramesh Kh, Prof. Dr Thokchom Robindro of the Department of Entomology, and Assistant Professors Dr Punyabati and Dr R.K. Padhamani of CAU, Imphal, who served as resource persons. They shared technical knowledge and information relevant to farmers.
Speaking on the occasion, Thoiba said farmers have been making significant contributions to the state’s economic development despite various challenges. He said the government should ensure the availability of quality seeds so that farmers can increase production and improve their livelihoods.
He said that although Manipur has about 1.76 lakh hectares of cultivable land, around 98 per cent of farmers depend on paddy cultivation. He noted that many farmers continue to use seeds saved from previous harvests, a practice that has continued for years.
According to him, the continued use of uncertified seeds can result in various diseases, reduced productivity and difficulties in maintaining the quality of agricultural produce. He also pointed out that certified seeds supplied from outside the state have reached only a limited section of farmers, leaving many dependent on locally saved or domestic seeds.
Thoiba said the resulting decline in farm productivity and income has made it increasingly difficult for farmers to continue agricultural activities. He urged the government and concerned departments to work together to make quality and certified seeds easily accessible to farmers across Manipur.
He further cautioned that the indiscriminate use of inferior seeds and chemicals in agricultural production could have adverse effects on human health and contribute to various diseases. He called for greater awareness and appropriate agricultural practices to ensure both higher productivity and safer food production.
