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Impact of climate change on agriculture discussed

 Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 08 2024: Climate change and its impact on agriculture was discussed during the 6th farmers convention (poinu meepham) today.

Poinu is a lunar month in the Meitei calendar that falls during the transition from November to December.

At least 20 farmers who contributed in promoting agriculture and allied sector in Manipur this year were feted during the convention organised by the Irabot Foundation Manipur (IFM) at JN Manipur Dance Academy.

Addressing the function, Director of Environment and Climate Change T Brajakumar said that farmers now need to adopt modem technology in farming and plant the varieties of rice which can be harvested in a short span of time given the impact of climate change on agriculture.

He also said that farmers in Manipur need to broaden their knowledge and skill in farming as applying technology and technical innovations can significantly increase efficiency and output.

Farming methods must change in response to climate change, T Brajakumar advised and added that conserving the environment is equally important.

He went on to state that farmers must plant a variety of crops which can adapt to the climatic condition of the region.

From change in rainfall pattern to rise in temperature, Manipur has been experiencing climate change, he said while advising the farmers to plant the variety of rice which takes less time to grow.

The number of springs has reduced considerably in Manipur and the Loktak Lake has become shallow, Brajakumar continued while appealing to the farmers to keep farm ponds for irrigation.

Agriculture Director N Gojendro also attended the programme.

He said that the Government has been providing crop insurance and different kinds of subsidies as high as 40 to 50 per cent in procuring agricultural machinery for the wellbeing of farmers.

Appealing to the farmers to perform soil testing regularly to ensure bountiful harvest, Gojendro said that deterioration of soil due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers has been reported from different parts of the State.

IFM president Kh Gopen, meanwhile, appealed to all farmers to take pride in their profession as agriculture is the backbone of the State economy.

The role which has to be taken by the farmers ir making Manipur a self reliant State in terms of food production is immense, he said and appealed to the farmers to plant other crops after harvesting rice so as to earn additional income.

Gopen also expressed desire for a seed bank to be established in the State so as to prevent investing a large chunk of money in procuring seeds from other States.

Later, a discussion programme was held under the theme "Be the change: Spark a farming revolution in Manipur".

Project Officer of Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCD-NER) Kh Nimaichand and IFM vice president Okram Dilipkumar also attended the programme among others.