Govt will not spare poppy planters: Biren
Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh on Thursday called on farmers of the state to focus on organic farming and assserted that his government was targeting to convert the state into a total organic state within the next five years.
Singh was speaking at the launching function of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for 18,000 registered farmers under state horticulture department for Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), Phase- III (2020-23).
There are altogether 25,000 farmers under phase-III MOVCDNER, Manipur – 7000 farmers registered under state agriculture department and 18,000 farmers under horticulture department.
On the occasion, Singh encouraged farmers turning towards organic farming and urged to support his government’s mission to convert the state into a total organic state within the next five years.
He highlighted the negative effects of chemical fertilizers and noted the need to convert to organic farming.
The chief minister maintained that horticulture is now related to livelihood and health and that the state horticulture department provided livelihood avenues to uneducated youth.
The department is taking a major role in making Manipur self-reliant, improving the state’s economy and health sector, he added.
On the occasion, the chief minister also reiterated his government’s warning to illegal poppy plantations.
“Government will not spare anyone found involved in the drug business or poppy plantation. The drug menace has strongly affected our society,” he said, emphasizing that there will be no compromise on any drugs related issue.
“We cannot remain silent anymore,” Singh said, adding that his government has the mandate of the people and will not succumb before the interest of few who are affecting the future of the youth.
The NDPS Act has also been amended and steps were being taken up to de-recognize villages found involved in poppy plantation.
State horticulture and soil conservation minister Letpao Haokip asserted that poppy plantations affected the society in two ways.
He said that it brought about the drug menace in the society and deforestation in the hills.
The minister stressed the need to implement schemes by laying more emphasis on plantations which are more suitable to the state’s soil to ensure successful implementation of the scheme.
While assuring all possible help in providing alternative sustainable livelihood to stop poppy plantation in the hills, he said that his department will have to take a pivotal role in the fight against poppy plantation.
