Govt assures adequate fertilisers but farmers get none

Farmers in Manipur continue to face unavailability of fertilisers despite assurances and tall claims about availability of adequate fertilisers in the state by Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren, Agriculture Minister Oinam Lukhoi and other relevant leaders.

State Agriculture Minister Oinam Lukhoi and Agriculture Director have reportedly assured of providing fertilisers to farmers of Kumbi Setupur in Bishnupur District but they are yet to get the same till date. Farmers are getting worried as the paddy plantation season is right about now.

Speaking on behalf of the distraught farmers today, Executive Member of Gram Sabha Committee, Bharatiya Kisan Sangh Manipur Prant, Bishnupur District cum National Awardee Kh. Samusaba Meitei expressed worry that many farmers are yet to start paddy plantation due to late onset of monsoon this year. He said, some farmers with much difficulty started paddy transplantation in some fields but the lack of fertilisers is a worrying issue at the moment.

Kh. Samusaba Meitei appealed to the Government, the Agriculture Department and other authorities concerned to take stock of the situation and ease paddy cultivation to avoid scarcity of rice in the future. He warned of intense agitations if their demand is not met.