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Manipur govt opposes poppy cultivation; calls to opt for organic farming

BNE ADMIN


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Guwahati: Manipur Chief Minister, N Biren Singh has warned that anybody involved in an illegal poppy plantation will not be spared.

Speaking at a programme on Direct Benefit Transfer for farmers under Horticulture Department for Mission Organic Value Chain Development for Northeastern Region on Thursday, Biren Singh has warned that the present government will not spare anyone found involved in the drug business or poppy plantation.

" The threat of drugs has severely affected our society, the Manipur Chief Minister said, adding there will be no trade-offs on this issue.

He said the farmers have been asked to focus on organic farming and support the government's mission to convert the state into a totally organic state within the next five years.

The government under Chief Minister N Biren Singh has assured all possible help in providing alternative sustainable livelihood to stop poppy plantation in the hills, he said adding that the department will have to take a pivotal role in the fight against poppy plantation.

The state government has informed the Centre that without proper rehabilitation, the issue has led to severe ecological imbalances land erosion in the hills due to extensive use of chemical fertilizers inability to save forests, etc.

The CM further said that the government is ready with all assistance for an alternative arrangement under any department whether under Horticulture or Veterinary and that it should be initiated from a district initially.

He further pointed out that the NDPS Act was also amended and that steps are being taken to remove the recognition of villages involved in poppy planting. A government constituted committee is there to identify the number of houses in a village and which villages are involved in poppy plantation, the Chief Minister said, adding that if the need arises Hill Area Committee or Revenue Department or any other will be consulted.

Underlining the negative aspects of chemical fertilizers, the Chief Minister said chemical fertilizers affect our health and there is an urgent need to convert to organic farming and said that organic farming is in fact as easy as the preparation of organic manure using kitchen waste and leaf debris is quite easy.

Horticulture is very much related to livelihood and health, he said, explaining that the department provides livelihood avenues to uneducated youth and encouraging organic farming helps in improving the health of the people. The horticultural department has a major role to play in making Manipur self-sufficient, by improving the state economy and the health sector, he added.

Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Letpao Haokip said poppy plantation affects the society in two ways- drug menace in the society and deforestation in the hills. "We cannot take this lightly.

BNE ADMIN