Manipur’s rural economy withers as fields remain inaccessible

Aug 05, 2025

Imphal East / Bishnupur (Manipur), 05 Aug: In Leitanpokpi village of Imphal East, we met Konsam Sanajaoba, a Meitei farmer. Like many others, part of his farmland now falls within the buffer zone separating Meiteis and Kukis, created after ethnic violence broke out on May 3, 2023. While he continues to cultivate some parts of his land, his two-acre plot on the hillside remains inaccessible due to security restrictions. Once a place of quiet labour, his field is now marked by uncertainty and guarded boundaries. Yet, Sanajaoba persists — sowing hope where fear still lingers. Manipur’s economy depends on 1.95 lakh hectares of paddy fields, cultivated by over 2.3 lakh farmers, many of them smallholders who grow just enough to feed their families. Since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023, thousands of Meitei and Kuki farmers have abandoned their fields due to fear and insecurity. Fertile lands in the buffer zones now lie barren and overgrown. Farmers who attempt to cultivate their fields are often targeted by the opposing side. Agricultural experts warn this crisis is badly affecting both the state’s economy and the livelihoods of poor farmers. The Manipur government has reported that the ongoing conflict has halted farming on 5,127 hectares, delivering a severe blow to the state’s rural economy. However, the government has begun compensating affected farmers, and online applications are currently being accepted. In Bishnupur district, compensation has been disbursed in three phases: in the first phase, 1,031 farmers received aid for 1,135 hectares; in the second phase, 725 farmers were compensated for 777 hectares; and in the third phase, 173 farmers received assistance for 193 hectares, with seven cases pending due to inactive bank accounts. So far, the administration has covered 2,105 hectares — less than half the total affected area —highlighting the scale of the crisis and the urgent need for continued support. Despite fear, displacement, and restricted access, farmers in Manipur continue to sow hope under armed watch. But with large areas still uncultivated, long-term recovery demands sustained support, security, and a return to lasting peace.