In what could be a significant boost for the farmers and general populace of Manipur, who have been reeling under hardships due to the unrest coupled with impact of climate change, the good yield of paddy plants this year has given a ray of hope to the state.
This comes as a huge relief for the populace with the agricultural fields and farms being severely ravaged by cyclone Remal. In different areas of the state, there have been several reports of destruction of irrigation canals; paddy fields being inundated, washed away, and scores of livestock and properties being destroyed to a great extent.
In different areas of the state, farmers have reportedly begun their first phase of harvesting.
In Ukhrul and Kamjong, harvesting normally begins in the first week of October and comes to end in November after thrashing and winnowing of husk is done before they are being transported and stored in their granaries.
As per reports gathered by the Imphal Free Press from different farmers across the state with Ukhrul and Kamjong districts in particular, several farmers reportedly said that their paddy plants bore more grains meaning more harvest. They prayed that no inclement weather wreaked havoc on their hard earned labour.
There are also some sections of farmers who have been under the fear that their yields may be way below last year’s turnover.
It was also found that their fields were receiving less water due to poor irrigation canal and reduction in volume of water from the main source.
On being asked if they apply any new farming applications technique to improve yields, majority of them responded that they did not apply or introduced any new farming practice other than their normal farming. They, however, cited uninterrupted flow of water in their fields, be it in less volume, as one of the major reasons for slight improvement in yields.
It may be mentioned that paddy yields had reportedly declined by 45-50 per cent last year in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts of Manipur and had severely impacted the livelihoods and wellbeing of several farmers who were made to rely on highly prized rice imported from outside for their sustenance in the absence of an alternative to cope with the impending food crisis.
Speaking exclusively to the Imphal Free Press, one Vasti P, a farmer from Ukhrul said she hoped to harvest not less than 150 tins (local measuring unit) worth paddy grains this harvest.
“Last year my family harvested only 80 tins and had a hard time with foodgrains running out before June 2024,” she sighed, recalling the miseries her family had gone through to ensure that no children went to bed without food.
The little amount that I earned from selling sticky rice, vegetables and fruits were spent in purchasing non-local rice, and that too at an exorbitant price. It was indeed hard to imagine for a poor farmer like me as we were compelled by the circumstance to buy imported rice other than the one being planted and harvested from one’s own field, she shared.
By God’s grace, the paddy plants finally became ripe for harvest with the plants bearing a good amount of grains. “For farmers like me, nothing is more reassuring than a good harvest, “ she expressed looking at her fully ripe rice plant.
LA Akhui, 54, a farmer from remote north of Ukhrul district has been into paddy plantation for the last three decades. He and her wife boast of harvesting 800 to 100 tins which lasts more than three years. He supports his family from the surplus. Life was simple but good. However, things took a turn with windfall reduction in yield.
“I began to witness sharp reduction in yield after 2010, particularly in my field. Since then, the reduction in yields has become more pronounced. This has been a challenge for farming communities, “ Akhui narrated.
From 500 tins in the last two years, the yield was cut down to 200 tins last year. “However, I am expecting at least 350 tins worth rice this harvest as the plants are in good condition,” he hoped.
With looming climatic conditions already making its way into our region, it has become all the more important and challenging for the farmers to keep abreast with the changes by introducing new farm practices that could withstood or neutralise extreme impact.
With unpredictable rainfall, inclement weather conditions and prolonged exposure to heatwave becoming a recurring phenomenon, it is imperative to sensitise and introduce climate resilient crop like millets to more farmers and not just a few self-help groups.
It was reportedly found that a majority of the farmers still continue to plant the same old crops over and over again at their fields in spite of the fact that both production and productivity shows a downward trend.
Timely awareness and training on new farm practices is also found to be lacking especially in remote villages of the state. Farmers believe that imparting them necessary training and awareness programmes would go a long way towards strengthening and reviving the agriculture sector.
