Brain Storming Workshop On Rice Residue Burning in Manipur Organized
Press Release
A one day workshop cum brainstorming Session on “Rice Residue Burning in Manipur- Issues and Strategies for Sustainable Management” was Inaugurated by Shri V Hangkhanlian, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Manipur at Hotel Classic Grande. The programme organised by the Indian Association of Hill Farming, Meghalaya in collaboration with ICAR RC for North East Hill Region, Umiam, Meghalaya was held on 31st January 2018 Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey, Hon’ble Vice chancellor, Manipur University, Dr. Suhel Aktar, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Manipur, Shri P.N. Praveen Kumar, GM (NABARD), Shri Ph. Rajendra Singh, Director, Department of Agriculture, Govt. of Manipur, Dr. Y. Nabachandra Singh, Director Directorate of Environment, Govt. of Manipur and Dr. N. Prakash, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya attended as Guests of Honour, Special Guests and President respectively.
In the inaugural speech as Chief Guest, Shri V. Hangkhanlian highlighted havocs of burning rice residues in the environment which pollutes the land, air, water as well as human health. About 3.5 tonnes of rice residue is being burned per ha area per year in Manipur and in the process all the Carbon , Nitrogen, Sulphur are completely burned thereby soil, water and atmosphere are highly polluted.
Prof. Adya Prasad Pandey stated that problems and issues of burning rice straws are foresighted in Manipur unlike in Haryana UP and Punjab. Awareness programmes and training of farmers and youths need to be initiated by the concerned departments to utilize paddy straws in many useful ways such as animal feed, straw based products, composting etc. for self employment.Dr. Suhel Aktar, IAS stressed to go for organic farming using the compost out of rice residues as an important component. He emphasised that if technologies are available, finance in term of government subsidies are also not a constraints, then what is the reason for burning of residues.
Shri P.N. Praveen Kumar, highlighted NABARD’s contribution in ongoing projects on rural development, climate change, increase in farmer’s income, watershed development etc. He pointed out that enough fund is available with NABARD if project proposals are properly submitted.
In his presidential speech Dr. N. Prakash suggested that state government of Manipur should take up necessary action for systematic marketing of agriculture products and create storage facilities to help the farmers in increasing their income. He also conveyed that Supreme Court has directed governments of Haryana, Punjab and UP to submit action plan for controlling burning of rice residues and adequate measures are required for combating burning and promoting sustainable use of rice residues in Manipur.
Shri Ph. Rajendra Singh and Dr. Y. Nabachandra Singh also highlighted ill effects of burning of rice straws and its havoc in the environment and seminars and workshops should be conducted in the present context.
Dr. I Meghachndra Singh delivered the welcome address. Dr. Anup Das, Principal Scientist and Secretary of Indian Association of Hill Farming delivered keynote address. In his key note address Dr. Das informed that about 0.5 million tonnes of rice residues are burned in Manipur which has the potential to emit about 6000 tonnes of particulate matter, 27700 tonnes of carbon monoxide and 674500 tonnes of carbon di-oxide. It was informed that burning of each tonnes of residues emits about 10-13 kg methane and 33-43 kg nitrous oxide. Dr. S.S. Roy, Scientist and Co-convenor pronounced vote of thanks.
A souvenir was also released by the dignitaries. About 110 delegates of Scientist and professors, officials of line department, NGO members, students, from Manipur, and other North Eastern States and 40 farmers from different districts of Manipur also participated actively in the session. Presentations on sustainable use of rice residues were made by the experts which was followed by brainstorming among various stakeholders for identifications of reasons for rice residue burning and viable options for alternatives to residue burning. After a thorough deliberations among the delegates and farmers, it was derived that the main concern was lack of ideas and knowledge on the proper and economic utilisation of the paddy straws after mechanical threshing, which could be saved through proper dissemination of the different utilities and techniques for utilisation like, retention in surface as mulch, incorporation in soil, use as fodder for cattle, baling, mushroom cultivation, composting, etc. The program was organized by Indian Association of Hill Farming, Umiam, Meghalaya in collaboaration with ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya and Central Agricultural University, Imphal.
