Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 19 2009:
The suggestions given by the agricultural scientists for direct sowing of the paddy seeds to the field within August 15 this year in view of rainfall shortage and its resultant drought situation in the State this year has turned out to be the life saver of many farmers who now have no fear of suffering in their annual yield.
After a two-day long discussion session attended by officials of the Agriculture Department and scientists of the Central Agriculture University, it had been resolved that farmers would be able to reap if they sow the paddy seeds to their field directly within August 15 this year even if it was already late for the normal transplantation activities.
Taking the advice to his heart, S Gambhir had sown the seed of the high yielding rice variety IR-64 in his Heikrujam Loukon in Imphal West on August 15.Apart from adopting the SRI method, he had also taken the assistance of the Agriculture Department and Irabot Foundation, which is NGO working for the welfare of the farmers.
The paddy seeds have been made available to Gambhir under the supervision of Programme in-charge of ICDP-Rice, Agriculture Department L Ibomcha.
''Though the seeds have been sown only on August 15, I expect my field would be ready for harvest by first week of December'', Gambhir said happily, adding that he is looking forward to a bumper harvest of not less than 30 Phoubot.
On the other hand, ICDP-Rice programme in-charge L Ibomcha and office bearers of Kangleipak Chingtam Trade Union have today jointly inspected the paddy field in Keithelmanbi Makha Manamyang Loukon under Sadar Hills, Senapati district where two paris of paddy field have been brought under SRI method of cultivation.
SRI method has been taken up in this field as a joint experimental venture of the Union and the land owners of the village.
During the inspection, chief of Manamyang village Lethang informed that success of the experimental joint venture inspired all the other farmers in the village that they too have decide to adopt SRI method from nest year.
The yield from one Sangam is normally around 15 to 18 Phoubot, but this time we expect the yield would be not less than 30 Phoubot per Sangam.
General secretary of Kangleipak Ching-Tam Trade Union Sadananda informed that since the success of SRI method is now well known among the farmers of the area, atleast 5 paris would be kept reserved for Anganphou.