Imphal: Farmers in Manipur need better tools. Konthoujam Thoiba Meitei, co-convenor of the COCOMI Farmers Wing, pushed the government to supply quality seeds to stabilize the state economy. He issued this call at a training session held at Konthoujam Makha Leikai. The event focused on the importance of quality seed production.
Experts from the Central Agricultural University, Imphal, led the training. Participants included Prof. Dr. Th. Renuka, Dr. Pramesh Kh, Prof. Dr. Thokchom Robindro, and Assistant Professors Dr. Punyabati and Dr. R.K. Padhamani. They provided technical expertise to local growers.
Manipur holds 1.76 lakh hectares of cultivable land. Paddy is king. About 98 per cent of farmers grow it. Most rely on seeds saved from old harvests. This habit invites crop disease and stalls growth. Thoiba said, "The government should ensure the availability of quality seeds so that farmers can increase production and improve their livelihoods."
Certified seeds rarely reach the average farmer. Most remain stuck with domestic stock. This cycle slashes incomes and drags down output. Thoiba warned that bad seeds and heavy chemical use threaten human health. Officials must act now to bridge the gap and make certified products accessible to everyone across the state.
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