Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh calls for double cropping, expanded organic farming and better market access as 14,740 farmers receive Rs 2.95 crore.
Imphal, Oct. 30: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday called for expanding double cropping, strengthening organic farming and improving market access for local agricultural produce, saying agriculture would play a crucial role in reviving the state’s economy following the prolonged crisis.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the PM Kisan Utsav Diwas programme held at the Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS) in Imphal, marking the release of the 24th instalment of the PM-KISAN Samman Nidhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarat.
The Prime Minister released more than Rs 18,690 crore to over 9.34 crore farmers across India under the August-November 2026 instalment of the scheme. He also dedicated 521 units developed under the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and inaugurated 12 horticulture clusters.
Addressing farmers, officials and other participants, Khemchand Singh said the crisis in Manipur had significantly affected the state's economy, including its revenue sector and Goods and Services Tax (GST) collections. He identified agriculture as one of the state's strongest economic pillars, with the potential to support recovery, generate income and revive economic activities.
The Chief Minister noted that Manipur's economy had previously drawn support from several sectors, including agriculture, horticulture, handloom, handicrafts and tourism. However, the prevailing situation had created substantial hardships, particularly for daily wage earners and people dependent on daily incomes.
He stressed that strengthening agriculture would require commitment and coordinated efforts from government departments, field-level workers and other stakeholders. Officials, he said, must carry out their responsibilities sincerely to improve agricultural performance and increase the sector's contribution to the state's economy.
CM Calls for Double Cropping Across Agricultural Areas
Highlighting the need to improve land utilisation and agricultural productivity, Khemchand Singh observed that farmers in Manipur had traditionally practised single-crop cultivation. As a result, agricultural fields in many areas remained unused for nearly six months of the year.
He urged the Agriculture Department to work towards enabling double cropping across the state's agricultural areas, allowing farmers to cultivate their land during a greater part of the year and potentially increase their earnings.
The Chief Minister also acknowledged the steps being taken by the Horticulture Department to strengthen agricultural activities and improve productivity.
Expanding cultivation beyond a single annual crop, he indicated, would be an important step towards making better use of available farmland and increasing agricultural income.
Organic Farming Target Set at 400 Hectares
The Chief Minister also called for greater promotion of organic farming, referring to the Agriculture Department's work in the sector.
According to him, the department had undertaken organic cultivation across 400 hectares during the previous phase and set a target of another 400 hectares for the current year.
He said expanding organic farming could create additional economic opportunities for farmers. However, he stressed that the approach would need to be supported by better market access and remunerative prices, given the additional time, effort and care involved in organic cultivation.
Khemchand Singh observed that demand for organic products was growing among sections of middle- and upper-income consumers. He suggested that the Agriculture Department establish more dedicated outlets for organic products across Manipur to help connect local producers with potential buyers.
He expressed confidence that a wider network of such outlets would provide a more reliable market for locally produced organic goods, encourage more farmers to adopt organic cultivation and generate additional revenue for the state.
Financial Assistance Distributed Under Agricultural Schemes
The programme also saw the distribution of financial assistance, agricultural inputs and other benefits to farmers and farmer groups under several government schemes.
Under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM), eligible beneficiaries received financial assistance of Rs 60,000 each for purchasing water pumps. Assistance of Rs 50,000 per unit was provided for constructing vermicompost units under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
Under the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-OS), beneficiaries received Rs 1 lakh each for installing mini oil mills. Mustard oilseeds and bee boxes were also distributed to farmer groups under the mission for the Rabi season.
Pea and gram seeds were provided to farmer groups under the Pulse Mission, while subsidised knapsack sprayers were distributed under SMAM.
A total of 14,740 farmers in Manipur received financial assistance amounting to Rs 2.95 crore on Friday, according to the programme details.
The event was attended by MLAs, other dignitaries, senior officials of the Agriculture Department and farmers from different parts of the state.
The Chief Minister's remarks focused on increasing agricultural output, expanding organic cultivation and developing dependable markets for local produce as part of efforts to strengthen Manipur's rural economy.
