Mizos start turmeric cultivation to control rodent population
Aizawl, Jan 25 (UNI) To counter rapid growth of rodent population following gregarious bamboo flowering in the state, Mizoram government has taken up special initiative for mass turmeric cultivation, which believed to work as antidote to rat menace.
Informing this to the mediapersons here today, state Agriculture minister H Rammawia said the growth of rodents was increasing rapidly after being feed of bamboo fruits and flowers due to high nutrient composition of the seed.
The rodent which ravaged the paddy fields across the state may eventually lead to famine in Mizoram if the menace was not immediately checked, he opined.
''Turmeric is the only horticultural product, which can not be affected by rodents while the villagers will get a substantial amount of the produce, as we have decided to purchase turmeric at the rate of Rs 8.50 per kg'', Mr Rammawia stated.
He, however, informed that some 21000 fmailies of 400 villages of have already started turmeric cultivation following the initiative of the government and agriculture department. He said their produce will be purchased directly from the growers from February's last week onwards.
Mr Rammawia said the price of turmeric was now upswing in international market and Mizoram has planned to export it besides, supplying in domestic market.
Champhai, Lunglei, Serchip, Lawngtlai and Mamit districts of the state were worst affected by the rodent menace and turmeric cultivation has commercially started in those areas, he added.
UNI