Manipur: Farmers demand compensation as crops ravaged by natural disaster

Pineapple farmers in Ngarian, under Imphal East district, are reeling from the aftermath of recent heavy rainfall and a massive hailstorm, which wreaked havoc on their agricultural crops. Facing substantial losses, these farmers are now demanding government compensatory support without fail.

A team of media representatives recently visited Thayon Kom Village and Thamaram Tangkhul Village in Ngarian to interact with the affected farmers. Witnessing firsthand the extensive damage to pineapple farms in Thamaram Tangkhul Village, the media team captured the distress and plight of the farmers.The "Yelhoumee Organic Value Chain Development for North East Region," a farmers producer company in Thamaram Tangkhul Village, expressed their concerns over the significant losses they anticipate this year due to the natural disaster. 

With 530 farmers working under the company across ten adjoining villages and cultivating pineapple in 186 acres of land, the company usually yields a turnover of approximately Rs 56 crore annually. However, this time, the company anticipates a substantial loss due to the extensive damage inflicted by heavy rain and hailstorm.Somingam Keishang, the Chairman of the company, lamented the lack of response from the government despite their efforts to seek assistance. 

Stating the importance of government support, especially considering the challenges faced by farmers, Keishang expressed hope that the authorities would acknowledge their plight and provide assistance promptly.

In Thayong Kom Village, where pineapple cultivation is predominant, farmers also shared their struggles. Despite not suffering as severe damage as Thamaram Tangkhul Village, farmers highlighted challenges such as rising temperatures affecting crop viability and the need for infrastructure improvements like cold storage and food processing facilities.

The village chief of Thayong Village, M. Achung Kom, underscored the historical reliance of the community on pineapple cultivation as their primary source of livelihood since the Second World War. While acknowledging some improvements in recent years, such as assistance from the Manipur Organic Mission Agency, Kom emphasized the need for further government support, including subsidized loans, to enhance farmers' livelihoods.

Today's visit was part of a two-day media Sensitization Programme on Horticulture Schemes organized by the Horticulture Department in collaboration with the All Manipur Working Journalists Union, as part of the year-long golden jubilee celebrations of AMWJU.