North East Conclave of BJP Kishan Morcha at Guwahati on 27th November, 2010
- BJP, Manipur -

Imphal, November 27, 2010

Issues of agricultural problems in Manipur was raises in two days North East Conclave of BJP kishan Morcha held at Guwahati on 27th.November, 2010. In the said conclave shri Om Prakash Dhankarji, National President, BJP, Kishan Morcha, Shri P. Chandrasekharji, Organisation Secy, BJP, NE States and Shri Shiladitya Dev, National Secy,BJP, Kishan Morcha grace the function as Chief guest,President and Guest of honour respectively. The text of the issues raises by Shri Laimayum Bashanta Sharma, Secy. Media Affairs and who is also in charge of Kishan Morcha BJP,Manipur Pradesh are as follows-

Out of the total area of 22,327 sq.km, vast areas of Manipur particularly in the 4 valley districts are agricultural lands as the main source of income of livelihood of the State. It is the agricultural products that give major share of the state economy from time immemorial enjoying the perimeter of rainfall of 1467.5 mm in average.

Cultivation activity in the hill area is not progressive. This is to be encouraged without taking time.

Agricultural Department is the only full-fledged department looking after the development of Agricultural activities of both Hill & Plain of Manipur. With the emergence of new technology, the dept. is giving technical assistance to farmers of both Kharif and Rabi crops. Now, the state has also a separate Horticultures dept. taking up various activities of Horticulture in the State. The situation now in agriculture dept. is condemnable that funds for the farmers have been marrowed and symphony. This has not developed the farmers resultantly causing to less production of agricultural products.

The State suffers from lack of a clear cut agricultural policy for the welfare of the farmers and cultivators in the State. Suitable and effective thrust for better agricultural production is not yet meted out even knowing the fact of self-reliance depending on the agricultural produces and maintenance of State’s sound economy.

For better development of paddy fields and agricultural activities, the construction works of Dollaithabi at Khundrakpam A/C. of Imphal East District, Thoubal Multipurpose Project at Thoubal District, Khuga Dam at Churachandpur District and Singda Dam of Imphal West District had already been started since 20 years. The components of the said projects are to supply water to the paddy and agricultural fields with the provisions for supply to the inhabitants of the surrounding villages located at the based areas of the Dams and projects. Khuga Dam, a major Dam of Churachandpur which is now at the incomplete stage of construction as recently inaugurated by Smt. Sonia Gandhi a midst slogans of genuine demands of the localities. The said Dams and projects cover huge areas of agricultural lands and non-completion had seriously affected the achievement target of adequate production to meet the considerable requirement of the State.

Frequent droughts and floods have further worsened the situation of Manipur in recent times. The recent fury of flood had submerged vast areas of paddy fields and agricultural lands causing complete damage of standing crops in all 4 districts of valley while uprooting number of families living without relief camps in the recent flood in Manipur (Oct. 2010. SPF Govt. failed completely to tackle the situation. Still Govt. fail to help the farmers and agricultural in providing the requirements for better Kharif production.

In the last year, the farmers of Manipur faced the horrible situation of drought. In the light of the recommendation of the State Govt., Govt. of India declared Manipur as drought affected State and gave 7 crores to the State Govt. as a package for giving relief to farmers of the State.

By a decision of the State Govt., the amount of 7 crores after giving allocation to each district on the basis of the number of farmers affected by drought had been released to the respective Deputy Commissioner of the districts. Still there is number of complaints in all the districts that genuine farmers are not given the assistance of relief. Besides, playing politics by the SPF Govt. in matters relating to selection of beneficiaries, distribution of fertilizers, agricultural equipments/machineries and other relief assistance are very unfortunate.

There is no transparency in the process of procurement of seeds, fertilizers and agricultural machineries/equipments. There is no regular and open sale of fertilizers in the market on controlled price. Unlike the price available in the all India market, the recent purchase of fertilizers went up to Rs. 850/- per bag. This is very unfortunate for poor farmers. This should be stopped.

There is no clear cut system of land use pattern in the State of Manipur. Govt. does with the available land agricultural lands stood in the name of pattadars. Huge areas of Govt. Khas land are not yet fully brought for the purpose of cultivation and agriculture. They have been left unused. This is a miserable situation of the State.

The existing crops dealt with by the agriculture Dept. of the State both for Kharif and Rabi are as follows: -

Kharif – Rice, Maize, Arhar, Moong, Urg, Cow-pea, Rice bean, Ground nut, Soya bean, Sugarcane, Tomato etc.

Rabi - Wheat, Gram, Pea, Brad, Mustard, Potato, Tomato, Chilly etc.

As per decision of the Govt. of India, the transportation charge of fertilizers of States including the State of Manipur bears by the Govt. of India without giving burden to the State Govt. However, the application of the system in Manipur is not known by the State Govt. There is huge burden on the farmers.

The farmers of the State are facing acute problems o scarcity, illegal price rise and non-availability of fertilizers. Fertilizers go through black-marketing. There is no transparency in dealing with fertilizers distribution in the State.

The situation is aggravated by the frequent tyrannized economic blockade of National Highways No. 39 & 53, only the lifelines of the State connecting with the outside States of India. Collection of Illegal tax by known & unknown NSCN (IM) Cadres on the National Highways is also a serious problem of the State going on without check & control. State Govt. failed to make necessary arrangement to make all India approved subsidized rate of fertilizers. The anti farmer policy of the Govt. is condemned and suggested to stream-line on this direction.

Kishan Morcha, BJP, Manipur Pradesh strongly demands:

1. Completion of the construction works of Thoubal Multi-Purpose Project, Khuga Dam and Dollaithabi Projects and other irrigational cannels and dams.
2. Govt. should provide easy term loans to farmers.
3. Effective arrangement for availability of agricultural equipments/machineries on subsided rate.
4. Timely distribution of seeds, pulses, cereals and fertilizers to farmers as and when required.
5. Adequate compensation should be given to farmers at the time of flood and drought.
6. All suitable measures should be adopted for extension of advanced knowledge and technology to the farmers.
7. Playing of politics for selection of beneficiaries, extension of financial assistance, relief and rehabilitation works should be stopped.
8. Extension of MLR & LR Act. in the hill area is highly required.

Now, the need of the time is to make awareness of the farmers and cultivators in view of the advancement of the new technology and knowledge in the field of Agriculture. This will include all the items under the purview of agriculture, pisti-culture, veterinary/dairy, fisheries etc.

Due to late formation of Kishan Morcha, the following preparation works have to take for some months in the State, but achievement target will be within the month of Feb.2011

1. Formation of Kishan Morchas in all the districts and mandals with the opening of offices at the respective places.
2. Organisation of State, District and Mandal level Kishan Sammelans with the participation of experts and resource persons & tentative programme for Kishan Morcha’s visit to field with experts will be organized off and on.
3. To make awareness among the farmers/cultivators with the experts and resource persons.
4. To take programmes for improvement of work culture and value added activities.
5. Issue of Kishan Credit Cards to farmers (BJP workers) through State Level Kishan Morcha.
6. To open a Kishan Library in the State Office, Imphal.

L. Bashanta Sharma,
Secy. Media Affairs,
BJP, Manipur Pradesh.