A one-day orientation cum training programme on organic farming was conducted against the disadvantages, unsustainability and illegality of massive poppy farming at Sharkaphung and adjacent villages which is considered as poppy hot spot in Ukhrul and Kamjong district, on Saturday.
The Initiative for Sustainable Agriculture (ISA), a non-profit making voluntary organisation based in Kamjong district, carried out a programme on organic farming at Sharkaphung village, sponsored by the Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, government of Manipur.
Furthermore, other objectives of the programme were to divert the manner of chemical intensive farming towards sustainable agriculture featuring organic methods and other nature replenishing models.
Attended by 43 promising farmers of four villages such as Sharkaphung, Sipiyang (Thawai Kuki), Mongkot Chepu and S Laho; Amana L Meghachandra, expert trainer of Bokashi and Vermicompost and Jajo Themson, president, ISA were the main speakers in the orientation as well as training sessions.
During the orientation session of the programme, Varam Simeon, vice President of the ISA, expressed that production of organic crops is inevitable for healthy life and environment concern. Moreover, he stressed that due to chemical inputs in agriculture, bad eyesight, cancer, renal problem and reduction of life longevity are very much common in the present stage.
Amana L Meghachandra emphasised on the problem of unwillingness of the people to leave the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides seeing the profuse production. He further said that there is a necessity of importance given to organic farming for improving soil health and safe food production.
Further, he expressed that unless we take the right steps towards an organic way, future generations are going to blame us.
Jajo Themson stated that the society has been taking small initiative for achieving sustainable agriculture making agriculture and allied activities an effective approach to environment amelioration by restoring soil health, improving human health, augment ecological balance, promoting traditional knowledge and enhancing livelihood in-stead of agriculture with extensive chemical inputs.
He further exhorted that organic farming is one of the best solutions which substantiates adaptation as well as mitigation and resilience to climate change impacts.
The most crucial part of the programme was a practical training session on making bio-fertilizers such as Bokashi and Vermi Compost. The whole processes of making bio-fertilizers were minutely trained to the participants. Moreover, traditional practices or knowledge about insect repellent using bio-matters were emphatically discussed during the training.
