Agriculture in Manipur has been severely affected amid the ongoing ethnic violence in the state, leading to concerns about a food shortage. According to the Department of Agriculture Director, N Gojendro, farmers have been unable to cultivate around 5,127 hectares of agricultural land, resulting in a loss of 15,437.23 metric tonnes of crops.
If the situation does not improve, food production in the state will continue to be impacted. The department has prepared fertilizers and seeds that can be harvested more quickly and with less water, but the loss will still increase if farmers cannot cultivate their fields during the monsoon season. Manipur has around 2-3 lakh farmers who cultivate paddy on 1.95 lakh hectares of land, with Thoubal district having the highest yield per hectare.
Farmers are concerned about the potential shortage of 'Meitei Rice', a local variety, which could lead to a price increase next year if farming is not carried out fully by the end of this month. While some farmers in the outskirts of Imphal continue to tend to their fields despite the fear of attacks from nearby militants, many are hesitating to farm during the peak season out of concern for their safety.
Overall, the concerns of farmers regarding the potential shortage of 'Meitei Rice' and the resulting price increases next year are rooted in their fear of militant attacks and the impact it has had on paddy cultivation. Furthermore, problems of farmers are compounded by a lack of rainfall this year.
Additionally, it is important to note that 'Meitei Rice', a variety of rice, requires a substantial amount of water for successful cultivation due to its high starch and carbohydrate content. In response to these challenges, the Chief Minister, N Biren Singh, has deployed 2,000 state forces to sensitive areas in order to patrol and provide security for farmers during the cultivation process.
