Pest problems

IMPHAL, May 12 : Pointing out that unavailability of pesticides/insecticides during the pest management season is inconveniencing the farmers, the United Peoples' Front (UPF) Manipur has appealed to the State Government to formulate a guideline to open Agri related shops.
A press release issued by UPF also highlighted that production of agricultural produce could be seriously affected if the pests are not controlled on time.
The Government should also expeditiously formulate a policy for agri-related activities to carry on and utilise all available machinery to ensure problems such as lack of water for irrigation doesn't crop up, the front said and added that food scarcity will hit the State in the coming years if farm activities are hindered by the pandemic.
It also asked the Government to make paddy and other seeds available to the farmers in time, take up measures to prevent wastage of perishable foods and give some relaxation in recovering farm loans.
The Front, on the other hand, lauded the Government for delivering vegetables and other food items to the public through Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA) during these testing times.
Saying that this initiative is a boon to the farmers, the UPF urged the Government to cover more areas/farmers under this venture.