Image courtesy: Facebook page chief minister N Biren Singh

Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh chaired a high-level meeting along with the representatives of Farmers Producer Companies (FPCs) supported by Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation and Department of Agriculture, Manipur, at chief minister’s Secretariat on Saturday.

The meeting was also attended by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) minister Losii Dikho, chief secretary Dr J Suresh Babu, additional chief secretary Rajesh Kumar, secretaries of concern departments, vice chancellor Prof M Premjit of Central Agricultural University and representative of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Manipur centre, Horticulture department sources said.

In his address, chief minister N Biren emphasized on increasing production and availability of agri-horticutural produces in view of the evolving situation of COVID-19.

During the meeting the situations and constraints in connection with cultivation, production and supply of different food crops in the State were minutely discussed.

Advising the Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation to support farmers and FPCs to start cultivation of short duration high value crops suited under the present climatic conditions, he also directed Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA) to work out a comprehensive plan on district and location specific suitable horticultural crops immediately for further implementation into action through State Task Force Committee.

In his address, PHED minister Dikho said farmers should not only wait for government scheme but also should take up their own initiative to come to the cause of sustaining themselves.

The Board of Directors of FPCs contributed innovative ideas and suggestions along with their immediate requirements in the meeting.

Assuring that the grievances of FPCs will be addressed, he also expressed gratitude to the farmers of the State and urged them to put more efforts for enhancing production of horticultural crops taking possible assistance from the line departments.

He also provided soyabean seeds for cultivation in an area of five hectares to Kakching Organic Farmers Producer Company from the available stock of MOMA.