Alternative farming for a change

Agricultural inputs were distributed in a function held at College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University(CAU) at Iroisemba in Imphal today which encouraged improved and alternative farming that would yield high production and at the same time prevent health from hazards and environmental degradation.

Deputy chief minister Yumnam Joykumar Singh said that conventional methods of agricultural farming should be replaced by new farming techniques to enhance agricultural productivity and prevent from creation of unhealthy environment.

He said there have been widespread Jhuming and Terrace Cultivation in most of the hill areas of Manipur for the last so many years remains a big challenge to environment and causing health hazard to human beings. Therefore, it is time to replace such conventional methods of farming by new methods.

Joykumar Singh said, approach and efforts should also be changed in the state especially in the hilly areas to introduce alternative farming methods so that productivity can be increased and environment can also be conserved as well.

Lauding the Central Agricultural University’s effort to introduce alternative farming under Tribal Sub Plan-Project to five States of North East, Joykumar appealed the university authority to cover larger areas, both in hill and valley and to increase coverage of Double Cropping and Cash Crop Cultivation. CAU can play a big role in the area and concerned departments will also follow the steps, added Joykumar.

Vice Chancellor Dr.M.Premjit Singh said a project has been sanctioned by the ministry of agriculture on an experimental basis. It covers 15 CD Blocks in five North Eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland. Among the blocks, six blocks of Manipur – Churachandpur, Chandel , Machi, Phungyar, Saikul and Kangpokpi in four districts have been covered. If the people co-operate with the initiative, the project can be sustained for long, thereby enhancing productivity and means of livelihood, he added.

Joykumar distributed saplings of various fruits including lemon, orange and grapes to the beneficiaries of hill districts.

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