Hard work pays : Apple Farmer Mayengbam Shyamchandra

Bidyarani Thingujam *

Apple Farmer Mayengbam Shyamchandra : Pix - Shankar Khangembam

It is said that if you have strong determination and perseverance, no one can stop you. This is firmly set by Mayengbam Shyamchandra from the remote village of Wangoo Naodakhong of Manipur.

In Manipur, apple has been successfully cultivated by Shyamchandra in his own farm. Mayengbam Shyamchandra of Wangoo Naodakhong Chingya Leikai of Kumbi Assembly Constituency in Bishnupur District, Manipur started his apple cultivation in 2015 with only 5 saplings which he had planted on his farmland under the initiative of National Innovation Foundation, Gujarat.

In an exclusive chat with E-pao.net on August 13, 2019 at his residence, Mayengbam Shyamchandra intimated that, around six kilos of apple were harvested from the first phase of apple cultivation.

Apple Farm by Mayengbam Shyamchandra of Wangoo Naodakhong Chingya Leikai, Kumbi in August 2019 : Pix - Shankar Khangembam

Shyamchandra added that growing fruits is his passion since his childhood days and as his family background was not good, he tried his hands on farming to help his family. He had tried various means to grow apple on his land in the initial stage but all had failed. In 2015, an uncle from Kwakeithel introduced him to National Innovation Foundation and then started his apple cultivation.

After two years in January, 2017, the trees bore apples successfully and the fruits were tasted by the family and his relatives. Shyamchandra added the around 1 kilo of apples was given to ICAR, Imphal for tasting and checking. For the second phase, Shyamchandra took 200 apple tree saplings from National Innovation Foundation and selected 11 interested farmers and made them cultivate the apple at different areas.

He further said that 6 kilos of apple were produced in the first phase, 40 kilos in the second phase and 300 kilos in the third phase. An apple weighed about 30 to 40 grams, he said.

Shyamchandra added that Laishram Jiloungamba, a staff of National Innovation Foundation has helped and supported him through his journey of apple cultivation. Shyamchandra intimated that he has been trying to produce nursery plants so that other farmers of the state can try their hand in apple cultivation.

Apple Farm by Mayengbam Shyamchandra of Wangoo Naodakhong Chingya Leikai, Kumbi in August 2019 : Pix - Shankar Khangembam

He further said, in order to further extend his cultivation, the Chief Minister has recently provided him a loan and added that it is already in process. The Chief Minister also advised him to apply for Start-up Manipur so that the apple cultivation can be further spread to all parts of the state.

All officials of concerned department have assured him of providing help to him in the time to come. Mayengbam Shyamchandra added that it took around 6 months for an apple to be fully grown fruit. He added that all his products are organic-based.

Now 42 saplings consisting of different varieties have been planted for this season and the recently produced apple variety is known as HRMN99, he added. Not only apple farming but Mayengbam Shyamchandra has been engaged in integrated farming consisting of different initiatives including making of interlocking bricks, machines, vegetable farming etc.

He has plans to produce nursery plants in the future so that it can be made available to other farmers who are interested in apple cultivation. He has appealed to state government to provide a cold storage so that the apples can be stored for a long time.

Apple Farm by Mayengbam Shyamchandra of Wangoo Naodakhong Chingya Leikai, Kumbi in August 2019 : Pix - Shankar Khangembam

Shyamchandra stated that if people have the will, there is nothing impossible. There are ample of works people can do in the state. People should grow their own foods for consumption as well as for selling so that they don't have to depend on the outside states. He added that youths of the state should work hard to make the state a self reliant state.

Mayengbam Shyamchandra, 37, is the son of Mayengbam Manglemjao Meitei and Mayengbam ongbi Thoileima. He has four siblings.

Mayengbam Shyamchandra has won many awards and accolades in the field of farming and other innovation. He bagged the Best Farmer State Award for innovating SRI Multi Leveller in 2017-18, Best SRI Promoter Award in 2012, got first position in District Level Crop Competition 2013-14, and 2014-15 etc.

Apple Farm by Mayengbam Shyamchandra of Wangoo Naodakhong Chingya Leikai, Kumbi in August 2019 : Pix - Shankar Khangembam

See a full photo Gallery on Apple Farm here