Our Correspondent
Imphal, Dec. 21 (EMN): A two-day national seminar cum workshop on ‘Sustainable Agriculture and Organic Farming: Health Hazards of Agro-Chemicals use in Food Production’ was inaugurated at Manipur University on Wednesday.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Agriculture Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Naorem Lokendra Singh of Manipur University, Prof. Ch. Priyoranjan Singh of the Economics department of the varsity was present during the inaugural function, which was attended by experts, officials of different departments and farmers.
The seminar cum workshop is being jointly organised by the Department of Economics, Manipur University and the All Manipur Progressive Farmers’ Association in collaboration with Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Manipur Centre, Imphal, Veterinary & amp; Animal Husbandry Services, Department of Fisheries and Directorate of Health Services.
Addressing the inaugural function, Biren Singh said that no matter how many seminars or discussions are conducted, one cannot achieve success, unless one works in mission-mode with a target.
Sharing the achievement of the government after initiating the target mode missions, he said that the overall land covered under organic farming in the state was just 5000 hectares in 2016. But it was expanded to 37,900 hectares in 2021-22, which is almost 200 times that of the 2016, with approval from the centre.
On the issue of water scarcity, he said that the government is concentrating on ground water and installation of 550 groundwater tube-wells and 375 wells are under process in the State.
On natural and organic farming, Biren Singh stated that a committee headed by an Additional Chief Secretary under a Cabinet sub-committee has been set up and a toll-free number will be announced soon to immediately assist and intervene to any issues raised by farmers.
He also highlighted that Manipur will showcase women empowerment in the state during the March 17-18 G-20 event in the state by highlighting various achievements of the State’s women including Ema Market, start-up women entrepreneurs, etc.