Manipur’s agricultural sector, once the livelihood for over 60% of its population, is collapsing under the strain of ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023. Farming has nearly come to a halt, with fertile land lying unused, particularly in conflict-affected districts like Churachandpur. Villages such as Ujungmakhong, with 30 families and over 15 hectares of farmland, have been cut off from their fields due to security concerns. Once-thriving plots are now tense buffer zones marked by barricades.
This crisis has far-reaching effects beyond farming communities. Agriculture contributes around 22% to Manipur’s Gross State Domestic Product, and inactivity on more than 5,000 hectares over two years has resulted in a rice shortfall exceeding 15,000 metric tonnes. Farmers across communities face similar struggles — restricted access, safety risks, and lack of government aid. As conflict persists and fields remain idle, Manipur’s rural economy faces a deepening crisis that threatens long-term food security and economic recovery.
