Agri Minister Th Biswajit on Thursday inaugurated a 150 MT Capacity Fertilizer Godown constructed under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) at the District Agriculture Office Complex in Imphal East and Thoubal. The inaugural function was organised by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Manipur.
Speaking as Chief Guest at the inaugural function, Minister Biswajit said that RKVY was implemented in the State in 2009-10 with seven allied departments even though it started in 2006-07. Stating that the government is trying to utilize the funding under RKVY scheme in a more creative and innovative way, he said that the funds allocated centrally should be able to meet the requirements of the State and so the guidelines which are not applicable to the State needs to be discussed. We can propose to the Centre the feasibility of the scheme and take the responsibility for implementing the scheme differently, he added.
Stating that the officials of the department need to work smartly, he said that we need to follow the decorum while implementing the scheme. He said the RKVY is an important programme of the Central Government for the farmers and we need to reach out to them to achieve the goal.
The Minister said that the implementation of the scheme is far from the target achievement and so the government will try to increase the budget after making a tentative programme.
The Agri Minister Th Biswajit further stated that most of the farmers produce crops focusing on quantity only but at present maintaining the quality of the crops should be the main focus in order to have a healthy society.
Emphasis should be given to producing organic crops and the easiest way to achieve the target is to use vermicompost. Imphal East District can be a model for successful implementation of the pilot project for utilization of vermicompost that can be expanded to all the districts and it can be distributed to the farmers at a subsidized rate. There will be a vermicompost unit in Imphal East district for the achievement of the government scheme, he said.
He also disclosed that the funding through NABARD for the development of infrastructures of the Agriculture Department has remained unutilized. He said that he will urge the government to take up steps to develop infrastructure, human resources and financial resources to run the department in a full-fledged manner. He said that cooperation is needed between various departments to achieve the goal of the government.
He said that for the successful functioning of the department three resources are a must which is infrastructure, manpower and financial power. All these have been discussed with the Chief Minister for smooth functioning of the department, he said. He maintained that plan and vision are required for the advancement and progress of the farmers.
Stating that when the farmers grow, the GDP will grow, he said RKVY, initiated in 2007 is an umbrella scheme that ensures overall agricultural and allied services development. He said the scheme encourages states to increase public investment in agricultural and allied services.
Speaking about the distribution of urea/fertilizers to farmers, he said the distribution is not based on the land Patta document rather it is given to genuine farmers. He further said that distribution is done after verification of the farmers.
Mongjam Joy, IAS, Commissioner (Agriculture) stated that the 150 MT Godown is constructed with a total cost of Rs 80 lakh, funded under the RKVY for the year 2020-2021. He further said that Crop Insurance Week campaign will be flagged off on July 1 at Director’s office chamber to be participated by all the District Extension Officers (DEOs).
DEOs will campaign for a week in 75 blocks in different districts, including the Aspirational District – Chandel. Insurance companies, banks and stakeholders related to Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) will give awareness during the campaign, the Minister informed.
Kh. Ibomcha, MLA, Lamlai AC; N. Gojendro, Director, Agriculture Department; L. Doungel, DAO, IE; officials and staff of the District Agriculture Department and several others attended the inaugural function.