Imphal, October 13 2008: Unlike in the past, Longa Koireng village which used to produce early batch of yongchak ahead of the Ningol Chakkouba festival, the village is unable to produce any Yongchak this time due to extensive withering of yongchak trees.

Yet, Longa Koireng villagers have the intention to plant Yongchak plants anew free from diseases.

For this, they have been eagerly waiting for attention of relevant agriculture experts and scientists.

Out of Yongchak varieties produced in different parts of the State, yongchak produced in Longa Koireng has earned its name for its better taste.

Every year, Longa Koireng used to produce Yongchak fit for popular Manipuri dish Ironba at the festive markets of Ningol Chakkouba.

But this time, plant diseases have taken sever toll on Yongchak trees of the village. Longa Koireng is a small village of Koireng tribe.

It is located about 25 kms away from Imphal under Saitu Assembly constituency in Senapati district.

For the 520 villagers, Yongchak has been one of their principal source of income.

On the average, every household grows 20 to 50 yongchak trees.

From selling Yongchak, each family could earn Rs 10,000 to 30,000 in a year.

Talking to this reporter, village authority secretary Khenchong said that Yongchak trees started withering since four years back in small numbers.

But this year, all yongchak bearing trees of the entire village have withered giving a serious blow to each and every household.

One villager who used to earn a substantial amount of income from his 50 yongchak trees said, "From the amount earned from selling yongchak, I managed to send my children to schools.

But this year with yongchak trees withered, it would be a huge burden for the family".

Even as the village is not far away from Imphal, communication infrastructure of the area is pathetic.

The nearest bus parking to the village is at Sangaithel, he said.

There is no proper bridge on both Heibirok and Thangjarok rivers which flow through the village.

About four years back, Government started constructing a bridge of Heibirok but it was abandoned at the initial stage itself.

Under the circumstances, the villagers contributed money and constructed a temporary bridge.

The bridge which cost Rs 40,000 was contributed by the villagers from their earnings made from selling yongchak, they conveyed.

Under the Loktak Development Authority's initiative to plant trees in catchment areas of rivers which fall in Loktak lake, preparations have been for planting 3000 numbers of yongchak plants at Longa Koireng village, said village authority secretary W Khenchong.

But the villagers have reservations to take up plantation of yongchak as they fear that the same disease which caused withering of yongchak trees and subsequent death may infect and kill the young plants.

He appealed to the authority concerned, particularly Agriculture scientists of the State to help save immature yongchak plants which are still standing at Longa Koireng and also to explain precautionary measures that may be taken up before cultivating yongchak plants anew.

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