Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 24:
The State Government will do everything within its means to introduce "Agriculture Land Use Act" within a short period to promote agriculture in the State, said Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh.
Speaking as the chief guest at the distribution function of farm machi-neries at the 1st MR Ground today, Chief Minister O Ibobi stated that only 10% of the total geographical area of the State is being used for agriculture purpose while some of the agricultural lands are being used for either building houses or hospitals.
Stating that the new act will put a ban on using of agricultural lands for other purposes other than agriculture, Chief Minister said that an Agriculture Land Use board will also be constituted for implement the act effectively.
It is very important for the farmers of the State to be sincere and committed in their works so that the State do not depend for food supplies on other States, asserted the Chief Minister adding that the Govt on its part would do everything possible within its means to ensure that the farmers gets the best facilities in terms of technologies and financially from the concerned department.
The Chief Minister also appealed to the concerned depts as well as the concerned Ministers to make sure that such costly machineries does not fall into the wrong hands other than the State farmers.
The distribution function was organized by the State Agriculture Dept under the sponsorship of "Macro management Mo-de of Agriculture Packages".
The farm machineries which were distributed today included 20 tractors, 97 Power tillers, 132 Water Pump set and 555 sprayers.
It may be noted here that all the items distributed today were given to the farmers after giving them a 30% subsidy.