Imphal: for development in hill areas Manipur govt provides support

Imphal: On Thursday, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh issued a letter to tribal jhumis/poppy planters in Manipur’s Churachandpur, Pherzawal, Noney, Tamenglong, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Ukhrul, Kamjong, Tengnoupal, and Chandel districts. Introduced alternative farming system.

They also distributed seeds of Rabi crops, nursery supplies, and tools and implements to 17 registered farmers’ societies from Sinapati, Kangpokpi, Chorachandpur, Kamjong, Akharul, Chandel, Tangnopol, Tamenglong and Nooni.

The program was organized by the Eastern Border Areas Development Authority (EBADA), Government of Manipur under the funding of North Eastern Council (NEC), Shillong.

Speaking on the occasion, CM Singh expressed concern about the effects of global warming, saying that the weather pattern of the state has changed. He attributed large-scale deforestation and the establishment of large industries to climate change and the emergence of new diseases. He continued by saying that humans have become selfish, thinking only of themselves and not caring about future generations.

Referring to the theme of India’s G20 presidency ‘One Earth One Family One Future’, he said that India has taken various steps to protect nature and environment. He added that it is time to think about our future generations.

CM Singh  in Imphal continued by saying that the monetary value of the items distributed today may be low, but given their importance, their value is high. He discussed the importance of rooftop cultivation instead of Jhum cultivation with technical assistance. He also informed that the state government has started providing alternative crops to poppy growers and aims to achieve a ‘Green Manipur’.

He expressed happiness to see that many societies have come up with alternative farming systems in hilly areas, adding that this is the beginning of development of horticultural products and increase of livelihood of hilly people.

He appealed to the farming society to carry out the cultivation of crops in a systematic manner so as to get better production and contribute to the development of the economy. He assured that the state government will provide necessary support to the society.

Explaining the importance of conservation of Loktak Lake, CM Singh said that a team of Asian Development Bank is in the state and is researching how to conserve the lake. He further warned that some NGOs operating under foreign funding were trying to disrupt development work in the state and added that the government would not spare them.

Minister of Horticulture and Soil Conservation Letpao Haokip said that the state has seen low production in hilly areas, and hence, the Chief Minister has taken various measures to promote horticultural products in these areas. “The state has been dependent on other states for various domestic products. Proper plantation in the hilly area can substitute our imports for essential domestic products.

He stressed the need to grow high-value products and added that it could help increase people’s income. He said that training will be given in a phased manner for the cultivation of high value products. He appealed to the farmers’ society to make proper use of the distributed produce and work sincerely to make the state self-sufficient.

Transport Minister Khashim Vashum, MLAs Ram Muivah and Chinlunthang, Chief Secretary Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary P Vaiphei, Deputy Commissioners, and representatives of Farmers Producers Society also participated in the event.

Items distributed to the farmers’ society: one mower, 10 hoes, two shovels, two pickaxes, five rakes, five bundles of cocopeat, 50 plug trays, five plastic crates, one packet of coriander, three packets of peas. , a packet of beans, a packet of long beans, a packet of chia seeds, and a packet of wax gourds.