Imphal: Manipur’s agriculture sector is under mounting pressure as prolonged dry conditions in Imphal East and unresolved compensation claims in Bishnupur have left farmers struggling ahead of the crucial paddy cultivation season.
In Imphal East, inadequate rainfall has delayed paddy transplantation across several villages under the Kshetrigao Assembly Constituency, raising fears of reduced agricultural output and possible food shortages.
Former Imphal East Up-Adhyaksha Ksh Tama visited major cultivation areas, including Yaral Loukol, Gurupat, Gangapat and Kongpal Chanam Leikai on July 6 to assess the prevailing conditions.
Despite the government’s distribution of paddy seeds and fertilisers, farmers have been unable to begin transplantation as paddy fields remain dry due to the lack of irrigation water.
Calling for immediate intervention, Tama urged the state government to arrange water lifting from the Kongba and Iril rivers to irrigate the affected fields. She cautioned that any further delay in transplantation could severely affect this year’s harvest, as the sowing window is rapidly closing.
She also appealed for adequate security deployment in foothill farming areas, saying farmers must be able to cultivate their land without fear.
Meanwhile, in Bishnupur district, farmers have warned of intensified protests if the government fails to compensate them for crop losses suffered during the violence and natural disasters of 2023 and 2024.
The warning came during a demonstration organised by the Farmers’ Wing of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) at the Sunusiphai market shed. Protesters said extensive damage had been caused to agricultural land and standing crops due to armed violence, while a severe hailstorm had further worsened their losses.
According to the farmers, the continuing law and order situation has rendered thousands of acres of farmland inaccessible, preventing cultivation for successive seasons and causing significant economic hardship.
Shyam Khuman, convenor of the COCOMI Farmers’ Wing, said many cultivators remain unable to reach agricultural areas, including the High Canal region, because of security concerns.
He argued that the prolonged denial of access to farmland, coupled with the delay in compensation, has deprived farming families of their primary source of livelihood. Khuman urged the government to immediately release the pending compensation and ensure adequate security so that farmers can safely resume cultivation.
With recurring violence and instability continuing to disrupt agricultural activities, more than 9,700 hectares of paddy fields are reportedly at risk. Bishnupur, one of the valley’s worst-affected districts, continues to witness severe disruptions to farming, threatening both rural livelihoods and the state’s food production.