Barren Yongchak crop hits many farmers

SENAPATI | Jan 10

Drying up of Yongchak (Tree beans) on a large scale at Ngamju and neighbouring villages in Senapati has worried hundreds of farmers.

Yongchak farmers told The Herald Today that premature death of tree beans has been happening since 2010 and getting worst since 2014 creating fear among farmers and lose of family income.

T.Shangpo from Ngamju village pointed out that Yongchak, a cash crop has now become the main source of family income. With suitable climatic condition and fertility of land, Yongchak from Ngamju are healthier with better taste and has high market demand at Imphal, Kachai in Ukhrul and Senapati. Almost all the villagers now grow not less than 30 to 40 Yongchak trees as it helps them support their children’s education and meet other daily requirements.

He further said he has planted about 500 trees and expecting a good harvest this year valuing not less than Rs.3 Lakhs. However, 70 percent of fruits bearing trees have already dried up. Beside, other farmers doing Yongchak plantation on a large scale have also been badly affected, he said.

 On being asked whether the villagers are getting any support from the government on Yongchak plantation, K.V.Longni, a retired Govt teacher and Yongchak farmer, said villagers took up plantation, without any assistance from Government, be it supply of saplings, training or financial help.

He also said that trees started drying up from the top with leaves turning yellow during flowering season from the month of September till December when fruits are too young to be reaped. Villagers couldn’t ascertain the cause of death of trees. As every household cultivates Yongchak, the villagers have decided to organise Yongchak festival in the near future but failed due to wide-spread withering of trees, he lamented.

He therefore wished the concerned department take up a proper survey and find out the cause of withering of Yongchak tree and assist the villagers for a sustainable livelihood through Yongchak.

Robinson, another farmer also shared how Yongchak sale has made some farmers rich apart from supporting their children’s education and family basic needs. As climatic condition is suitable at Ngamju, Yongchak trees bear plenty of fruits. 5 years ago, L.Paul has bought a plot of land at Senapati District Headquarter with the money he got from sale of fruits from two big trees planted in front of his house. While, D.Lah has also bought another plot of land at Senapati town with the help of four fruits bearing trees yielding him Rs.80,000 some years back, Robinson added.

Ngamju village with 346 households under Purul Block is 64 Kms away from Senapati District headquarter.