{"id":3507,"date":"2025-05-29T13:02:01","date_gmt":"2025-05-29T07:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/?p=3507"},"modified":"2026-01-19T05:18:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T05:18:38","slug":"farmer-in-khangabok-leads-double-cropping-effort-but-infrastructure-challenges-persist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/29\/farmer-in-khangabok-leads-double-cropping-effort-but-infrastructure-challenges-persist\/","title":{"rendered":"Farmer in Khangabok Leads Double Cropping Effort, But Infrastructure Challenges Persist \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reported by Sheikh\u00a0Abas & Yaiphabi Wahengbam<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Farmers of Khangabok Soi Loukol, located south of the Arong River in Thoubal district, have successfully adopted double cropping, planting an early-harvestable Rabi season rice crop across 50 pari of agricultural land. This local initiative has sparked hope for food self-sufficiency and rural economic revival in Manipur, especially amid growing concerns over food security and instability in the state.<\/p>\n

The agricultural push, driven by early planting of Rabi rice, is a significant development in an area where the dependence on food imports has long been a concern. Farmers are now striving for sustainability by embracing innovative farming practices tailored to the current needs of the region. However, despite their efforts and initial success, serious infrastructural shortcomings continue to hinder long-term progress, prompting calls for government intervention.<\/p>\n

N. Janan Singh, a farmer from Khangabok Part I who played a pioneering role in this initiative, recounted the motivations that led him and others to begin early Rabi cultivation. \u201cWith the current crisis situation of the State, we feared food shortages. So we began double cropping. I\u2019ve been doing this for three years now, and seeing my success, many others followed. It\u2019s encouraging to see farmers take up this crop and succeed<\/em>,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

According to Janan, the benefits of early cropping extend beyond individual gain, symbolizing a wider shift toward community resilience. \u201cThis is a step towards economic independence, but farming isn’t easy\u2014we need water, and the dam here is in poor condition. It hasn\u2019t been maintained by the authorities. The farmers are managing it themselves using wooden planks<\/em>,\u201d he added, calling on the government to take responsibility for the upkeep and repair of this vital infrastructure.<\/p>\n

The dam in question is a critical water source for paddy fields in the region. However, with no regular maintenance from concerned authorities, the burden has fallen squarely on the shoulders of local farmers, who are using makeshift solutions to divert water to their fields.<\/p>\n

Laishram Deben, another local farmer engaged in the initiative, highlighted the broader importance of the effort. \u201cDouble cropping in Khangabok isn\u2019t just good for us\u2014it can be a model for the entire state. If Kharif crops fail, Rabi crops offer a backup. But we need proper infrastructure,\u201d<\/em> he stated.<\/p>\n

Deben voiced frustration over the ineffective operation of the Thoubal Multipurpose Project, commonly known as the Mapithel Dam, which was originally meant to support agriculture and irrigation needs across the valley. \u201cIt\u2019s disheartening to see such a big project not benefit the people. If the dam worked properly, paddy fields in Khangabok could adopt large-scale double cropping. We produce and harvest more crops in the Rabi season than in the Kharif season. On average, we harvest 30% to 35% more during Rabi season. In a single Rabi harvest through double cropping, we could produce crops worth \u20b94 to \u20b96 crore,\u201d<\/em> he said.<\/p>\n

The lack of adequate government support, Deben said, adds to the financial strain on already burdened farmers. \u201cFuel for pumping water is our biggest expense. The government should provide subsidised diesel or petrol, electricity lines for irrigation, fertilisers, and quality seeds. In fact, Rabi crops often yield more than Kharif. If we really want to improve the economy, the government must focus more on Rabi season crops and farmer needs,\u201d<\/em> he added.<\/p>\n

Farmers also highlighted that electricity connectivity for agricultural purposes remains limited across several parts of the region, compelling them to depend on expensive fuel-powered pumps for irrigation. This, coupled with inadequate support for essential inputs such as quality seeds and fertilizers, continues to constrain their agricultural productivity and overall potential.<\/p>\n

Despite ongoing challenges, the farmers of Khangabok remain committed to their work. Their efforts demonstrate not only resilience but a clear vision for a more self-reliant and food-secure Manipur.<\/p>\n

As N. Janan Singh aptly stated, \u201cWe\u2019re doing our part\u2014all we ask is that the government does theirs.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

With timely and sustained support from the authorities, initiatives like double cropping in Khangabok have the potential to significantly strengthen the state\u2019s agricultural foundation and contribute meaningfully to its economic growth.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Reported by Sheikh\u00a0Abas & Yaiphabi Wahengbam Farmers of Khangabok Soi Loukol, located south of the Arong River in Thoubal district, have successfully adopted double cropping, planting an early-harvestable Rabi season … Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3508,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[44,32],"tags":[84,85,86,52,87,88,64],"class_list":["post-3507","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive","category-inn","tag-double-cropping","tag-farmers","tag-khangabok","tag-manipur","tag-mapithel-dam","tag-paddy","tag-thoubal","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3507","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3507"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3507\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8823,"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3507\/revisions\/8823"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3507"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3507"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ichelnewsnetwork.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3507"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}