MNS/NNN : The representatives of the farmers from Manipur urged Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan to make fertilize available at the subsidized rate of Rs.260- per bag. The Agriculture Minister of Manipur repeated assured to provide the fertilizer which has not been fulfilled.
Fertilizers are available in plenty in the markets at Rs 500 to 800 – per bag. It was asked where the fertilizers for the farmers have gone since 2003, who has taken away the fertilizers, where it is used .
It was alleged that the fertilizers are diverted for the cultivation of poppy and production of heroin. September, October and January to March are the main two seasons when the cultivators of illicit poppy are demanding high amount of fertilizer for fast production of poppy.
According to the report of Agriculture Department, the available agricultural land in Manipur is 1,95. 000 hectares. Many farmers demanded for fertilizers at subsidized rate which is not available. More than 40.000 hectres of paddy field were cultivated without fertilizer on time. About 40% of farmers borrow money from money lenders in order to purchase fertilzers from the market at high price.
This year 2013 farmers bought twice the fertilizers because of unexpected flood. Now. at present also more than 1000 hectares of agriculture land and fish farms are submerged due to frequent flood at Khundrakpam , Lamlai (Imphal East) and Uchiwa areas of Thoubal. How can the farmers repay the loan
Last year farmers were indebted
They demanded immediate investigation by a Special Investigation Learn (SIT) on the issue of fertilizers and punish the culprits who are involved in the smuggling.
It was establishment and introduction of Agricultural and Farmers Policy in Manipur.
They demanded for the de-commissioning of Ithai Barrage and Loktak Project immediately because of artificial flood which cause to damage of crops and submergence of agricultural land at 500 villages in and around Loktak Lake. They urged for investigation by the Central team why Ithai Barrage is not open in the month of agricultural rainy season which cause flood to more than 500 villages in and around the Loktak Lake and destroy more than 40.000 hectares of paddy and submerge houses and land etc.
The North East Dialogue Forum has taken the issue of the non-availability of fertilizers in Manipur to all the central leaders and state Governor.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/farmers-appeal-to-pm-to-make-fertilizer-available/
