Pineapple Fest
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, July 15 2018:
CAF & PD, Revenue Minister Karam Shyam has said that people should not merely wait and expect Government jobs, but rather they should find ways of providing self-employment because out of 28-29 lakh population of the State, only a meagre number of around 1 lakh are employed by the Government.
He was speaking as the chief guest on the second day of the 11th State Level Pineapple Festival cum Sellers and Buyers Meet and Youth Festival-2018 held at Thambalnu Market Complex, Poiroupat Lamkhai, Andro A/C today.
The event was organised by Development Organisation, Andro Kendra (DOAK) through Eastern Border Area Development Authority (EBADA) .
Director, CAF & PD, Ranjan Yumnam, Project Director, MOMA (Manipur Organic Mission Society), K Debadata Sharma, social worker of Wangkhem A/C, Kangabam Jadumani and founder of Little Master English School, M Thoiba shared the dais with the Minister at the function.
Appreciating Andro for having Horticulture Minister Th Shyamkumar as their MLA, Karam Shyam stated that out of 60 ACs, Andro is in the limelight by virtue of its old, traditional values, Yairipok Thambalnu folk stories and the annual Pineapple Festival.
Now that the Governor has inaugurated cold storage unit just yesterday, farmers are lucky and will get maximum profit out of their production, he said.
He also encouraged the concept of organic farming as it willlead to larger production with better taste and quality.
Recollecting his visit to CAU recently, he said that scientists also produce fruits and other items in powdered form and the same can be applied to pineapples also.
Ranjan Yumnam said that the present total target of pineapple production is around 3000 to 4500 metric tonnes and the Government should fix minimum support prices for the pineapples to encourage farmers and protect their interest.
K Jadumani said that there is need for work culture in the State.
Resource person K Debadata Sharma spoke on the various aspects of pineapples production in Manipur including Mission Organic, value chain development and NERMC scheme.
"We are planning to organize 20-30 programmes for more production of pineapples to sustain livelihood of the farmers and provide them a source of income", he also said.
Karam Shyam along with other dignitaries inspected the pineapple stalls and the old food processing unit during the festival today.
Kanglei band also performed a musical concert as an entertainment programme at the later part of the function.