Seminar on organic farming
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 24 2018: A two day seminar on 'Promotion of Organic Product and Value Chain Marketing 'was inaugurated at Hotel Classic, today, under the aegis of Editors' Guild Manipur (EGM).

The seminar, sponsored by Department of Horticulture, was organised with the objective of spreading awareness about the benefits of organic farming over agro-chemical produces and where Manipur stands in the scenario compared to the rest of the world.

Speaking as the chief guest at the event, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Director, K Kipgen said that the demands for organic produces are increasing rapidly.

The Director further stressed on the need to spread awareness about the current stage of organic farming schemes taken up in the State as well as the challenges in providing value chain marketing system to the farmers so as to improve their income etc.

The Department has taken up many schemes.

However, lack of awareness about these schemes among the people makes it impossible for the parties concerned to properly benefit from these schemes.

If the media is properly sensitised about the said schemes taken up by the Department, the people will be able to benefit properly from the schemes as media plays a big role in dispersing the required information to the mass, Kipgen added.

Speaking at the event as the guest of honour, IPR Director Meghachandra Kongbam said that the new State Government has launched numerous schemes for the benefit of the people and media plays a huge role in ensuring the people get the maximum benefits of these schemes.

EGM president A Mobi also stressed on the role of media in spreading awareness to the people.

Dr L Jeebit Singh, Project Officer, MOMA, spoke on Mission Organic in Manipur under MOVCD NER.

He informed that organic farming is a viable solution in the State as it has fertile soil, adequate water and suitable climate.

He said that organic farming for the State is currently done only in select crop items, namely pineapples, king chilly, Kachai lemon, orange, ginger, turmeric and black rice.

On the other hand, Dr L Ibomcha Singh, Regional Manager, One Cert Asia Pvt Ltd spoke on the status of organic certification under Mission Organic in Manipur.

He said that farmers who undertake organic farming in the State are rewarded with high yield due to the favourable environment in the State but most often, the farmers are discouraged by the challenges of Organic farming as well as getting the necessary certifications for organic farming, transportation, lack of cold storage.

He also informed that although Manipur has a high potential regarding organic farming, it still faces lack of proper marketing strategies or opportunities in the State.

Ibomcha also added that various initiatives are being taken up to improve the scope organic farming in the State, including developing the necessary infrastructure.

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