Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 24 2009:
The State could face food scarcity problem next year due to the drought-like situation in the state this year coupled with the increase in population.
According to source, the state is estimated to need 5.88 lakh metric tons of rice.
The Planning Commission estimates that the population of the state will be over 28 lakh.
The scarcity of monsoon rains this year has affected 1.02 lakh hectares of agriculture land.
The loss in food production is estimated to be Rs 13395 lakh.
The state had produced 4.50 metric tons of food grains last year.
Due to scarcity of monsoon rains, the food production of the state may diminish.
It is estimated that there will be shortage of 1.38 lakh metric tons of food production in the state this year.
The people are expected to depend solely on PDS rice and reliefs sanctioned by the government.
The food shortage may be worsened with the expected rise in the population.
The state has been receiving 3478 metric tons of BPL rice, and 2227 metric tons of APL rice.
This amount will not be sufficient to meet the needs of the people.