Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on December 21 said the overall land covered under organic farming in the state was just 5000 hectares in 2016 and it increased to 37,900 in 2021-22, which is almost 200 times that of 2016.
Production has also increased from just 25,000 MT to 2,59,400 MT, he added.
CM Biren Singh was speaking during the inauguration of a workshop on ‘Sustainable agriculture and organic farming: Health hazards of agro-chemicals use in food production’ at Manipur University, Canchipur.
The chief minister said that no matter how many seminars or discussions are conducted, one cannot achieve success unless they work in mission-mode with a target.
Biren Singh lauded officials of the horticulture and agriculture departments and said that these officials have worked with sincerity and aggressively ensured massive change in the sector.
Lauding the hard work of the farmers and the capabilities of the officials, N Biren Singh said that Manipur can be among the top states in the country. “Today, Manipur has been adjudged best improved small state for three consecutive years,” he added.
Inaugurated the National Seminar cum Workshop on Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Farming at MU.
The state government is committed to encourage organic farming to make a successful transition to sustainable agriculture for the overall benefit of the people of Manipur. pic.twitter.com/GIo0rGxFBh— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) December 21, 2022
Highlighting steps taken up in the state to encourage farmers, the chief minister said that Rs 80 crore has already been earmarked in the budget to buy back rice from the state’s farmers.
“We are trying to bring the changes,” the chief minister said stressing that “we are moving forward with opinions, advice and suggestions from experts”.
Biren Singh also deliberated on the issue of water scarcity in the state and expressed concern over the depleting jungle cover of the state.
He said there will be no water in the lakes and rivers if there are no forests. “We are concentrating on groundwater,” he said, adding that the installation of 550 groundwater tube wells and 375 wells are under process in the state.
Further deliberating on natural and organic farming, the chief minister also highlighted the importance of natural fertilizers.
He said the government has also identified a site in the Mayang Imphal area for composting phumdis from Loktak to organic fertilizer.
“We are also encouraging Nano fertilizer instead of chemical fertilizer,” he said, further highlighting the need to eradicate the use of chemical fertilizers to build a strong and healthy society.
The chief minister also highlighted that the state will showcase women’s empowerment in the state during the March 17-18 G-20 event in Manipur by highlighting various achievements of the state’s women including Ema market, startup women entrepreneurs, etc.
