Director of Horticulture and Soil Conservation Kakchingtabam Debadutta Sharma on Wednesday said most of the agricultural and farm products that people consume now are unsafe due to the high level of chemical fertilizers.
However, with the implementation of Goods Agricultural Practices (GAP) the agricultural and farm products will become safe for consumption, he said.
He was speaking as chief guest during the inaugural programme of two days media sensitisation programme on ‘Horticulture scheme’ held at Loktak Hall of Manipur Press Club, Majorkhul, Imphal on Wednesday.
The programme was organised by All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union (AMWJU) under the aegis of Directorate of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Government of Manipur, in relation with the yearlong Golden Jubilee Celebration of AMWJU.
Debadutta said farmers cultivate with a hope for good yield and profit. However, their biggest apprehension is if they would get recommended agricultural produce after they put in so much effort, he said.
In most of the valley areas, farmers used chemical fertilizers for better yield and so, it will be hard for them to start organic farming. So, to help produce good agriculture products having permissible content of chemical fertilizer, the central government is going to implement Goods Agricultural Practice (GAP), he informed.
Under GAP, farmers will be advised to use permissible levels of chemical fertilizers which also do not affect the yield. GAP will be applicable to all agricultural farming as well as farms including poultry farming, pisciculture and others, said Debadutta.
In hill areas it is easy for farmers to adopt organic farming as they have difficulties transporting chemical fertilizers, he said.
President of AMWJU, Bijoy Kakchingtabam said media persons need to have proper knowledge of the issues while giving information to the public. After having proper knowledge of any issue a media person will be able to educate the public, he added.
To aware mediapersons, AMWJU has been organising media sensitisation programmes in collaboration with various departments since September 16, 2023, he said. He also appreciated the Directorate of Horticulture and Soil Conservation for supporting AMWJU while organising the programme.
Principal Scientist, ICAR, NE Region Centre, Imphal, I.M. Singh also attended the programme as guest of honour.
Later, in the second session of the programme project director, MOMA, Donal Soubam spoke on “Role of Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA) in Agriculture Development in Manipur” followed by interaction with mediapersons.
