Imphal, May 09: To prevent misuse of agricultural land (paddy fields) by their owners, the State Government is mulling over framing policies and enacting an Act.

This was disclosed by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh while speaking at the inaugural function of the two day Mahila Gosthi (Women�s fair) at the premises of PDA complex today.

The fair is being organised by the State Department of Agriculture as part of the Women in Agriculture Scheme under the auspices of Directorate of Extension, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt of India.

Ibobi, who was the chief guest of the function, said paddy fields in Manipur are mostly located in the valley area which constitute only 10 percent of the total geographical area of the State.

After taking away the residential areas out of this 10 percent, only 5 percent are left for agricultural use.

In such a situation, it is of grave concern that more and more paddy fields are being used by the owners for purposes other than agricultural activities, like converting it into brick fields, setting up saw mills , business centres besides construction of residential houses without the consent of the Government, the Chief Minister said.

Noting that agriculture is the main economic activity of the State, Ibobi observed that it is essential for development of the State to increase its agricultural output instead of misusing the existing agricultural land.

Manipur can make good stride along the path of development only if the people work hard and can produce surplus agricultural products, instead of importing all the essential commodities, he pointed out.

To prevent from misusing agricultural land by their owners, the Chief Minister informed, the Govt is looking into the modalities of formulating a policy and enact an Act.

The Govt also felt that waste land near the hillocks should be utilised for settlement of the people and has accordingly instructed the PDA for setting up over 10,000 housing sites which would have provisions for basic amenities along the Langol foothills, Ibobi added.

He further observed that organising such fairs at the district level would be beneficial as womenfolks in Manipuri society played more important role in agricultural activities.

Incentives and awards should also be given to those women who carried out their agricultural works successful, he suggested.

In his presidential address, Agriculture Minister Ph Parijat said steps would be taken up to organise similar fairs in the hill districts from next year.

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