LOUSHAL also calls for initiating a policy similar to the one approved by the Prime Minister on June 9 — Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Kharif Crops for marketing season 2021-22.
TFM Report
Loumee Sinmee Apun Lup (LOUSHAL), a farmers’ association, has suggested ways to make Manipur self-sufficient in rice production and end rice import from other states. This can be achieved, according to the association, if the state government pays attention to certain areas.
In Manipur there is around 1.9 lakh hectare of agricultural land. This requires around 11,400 metric tonnes of rice grains for seedling. If the government provides 50 per cent of it and works towards tackling the problem of shrinking agricultural land and providing irrigation for double cropping, then the state won’t face the problem of food deficits and in fact there won’t be any need of importing rice, LOUSHAL argued.
LOUSHAL publicity secretary Pukhrambam Inaobi said that the concerned departments, both national and state, are not providing enough rice grains for seedling. Central Agricultural University produces around 70 to 80 tonnes of rice grain, which is then distributed to different states including the northeastern states. But the public does not know how much grain is being provided by other departments. Above that, it is also not known what kind of rice variety is being provided, he contended and added that due to these factors the farmers of Manipur are not able to get enough grains.
Inaobi further said that although the government has fixed the price of some fertilizers such as Super, DAP, Potash, Urea, etc. the people are forced to buy it at an inflated price. And we witness the controversy surrounding Urea every year in the state, he added.
LOUSHAL also drew the attention of the state government to initiate a policy similar to the one approved by the Prime Minister on June 9 — Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for Kharif Crops for marketing season 2021-22.