Reported by Bit Irom
Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday launched the Fertilizer Distribution Programme for the Kharif 2026 season and flagged off the distribution of the organic fertilizer ‘Oorja’ at a subsidized rate of Rs 250 per bag.
The initiative, launched at the Directorate of Agriculture in Imphal, aims to ensure adequate fertilizer availability, transparent distribution and support for sustainable agricultural practices across the state. More than 3.3 lakh farmers engaged in paddy cultivation and allied agricultural activities are expected to benefit from the programme.
As part of the government’s efforts to promote organic farming, Oorja fertiliser will be made available through 187 distribution centres across Manipur. While the market price of each bag stands at Rs 480, farmers will receive it at a heavily subsidised rate of Rs 250.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said the state currently has a stock of nearly two lakh bags of urea and assured farmers that there is no shortage of fertilisers. He stated that distribution would be carried out according to actual requirements and only after proper verification of documents.
To ensure transparency and prevent irregularities, the government has made Aadhaar-based verification mandatory. Fertilizers will be distributed based on Aadhaar cards, farmer identity cards and area specific requirements to guarantee fair allocation.
The Chief Minister noted that although around 1.8 lakh bags of urea were distributed until September last year, reports of shortages had emerged from some areas. The revised distribution mechanism has been introduced to address such concerns and ensure that fertilisers reach genuine beneficiaries on time.
He also directed Agriculture Department officials to closely monitor the distribution process across all districts and urged farmers to report any issues related to fertilizer availability directly to the Directorate of Agriculture.
Highlighting the state’s long-term agricultural vision, Singh said the government is working to gradually reduce dependence on chemical fertilisers while expanding the adoption of organic farming practices across Manipur.
The programme was attended by Commissioner (Agriculture) Thaithuilung Panmei, senior officials of the Agriculture Department, public representatives, farmers and other stakeholders. Prior to the event, the Chief Minister inspected the Organic Outlet Shop located near the venue.