Bishnupur to have first MAP Hub in State
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, August 13 2020:
A first Medicinal and Aromatic Plant (MAP) Hub will be set up at Sunushiphai in Bishnupur district, said Health and Family Welfare Minister, L Jayantakumar Singh on his visit to Langjingmanbi Reserved Forest at Sunushiphai today.
Inspecting the site, the Minister said that the project which is to be taken up under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan will be started as soon as possible.
Required land for the purpose hub has been identified.
The project will be introduced under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Manipur State Medicinal Plant Board, MSMPB, will ink an MoU with the LYS Agency Private Ltd, Kwakeithel, Imphal West, in order to start the project.
The project will consist of a distillation unit, processing unit and a catchment area of 5 acres of land to grow different varieties/species of aromatic and medicinal plants of high value, Jayantakumar said.
He said that the project is being taken up under an agreement with North East Institute of Science and Technology, NEIST under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, CSIR, Jorhat, Assam.
NEIST will send distillation machines either by the end of this month or early next month, he added.
Stating that the project has great scope and will generate employment, he said it will benefit the farmers of the State.
The soil of the State is fertile and suitable for growing medicinal plants.
The State Government will ensure proper markets.
Saplings of the aromatic and medicinal plants will also be provided free of cost to interested farmers, he said adding public cooperation is needed to convert the planned project into action.
Speaking to media persons, CEO, State Medicinal Plant Board, SMPB, Dr A Guneshwor Sharma said that the high value plants available in the State need to be protected and promoted.
Growing/farming the medicinal and aromatic plants will help generate income for the farmers.
Bishnupur district will now become a model district in this field and such innovative ventures with LYS Agency Pt Ltd will also inspire the entrepreneurs of the State, he added.
Proprietor, LYS Agency Pt Ltd L Ratan Khuman and others were also accompanied the Health Minister during the visit.