Rejuvenation of Tamenglong orange in focus
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, November 18 2013:
A development initiative taken up to enhance agriculture with no production of agricultural products can be termed as construction of a building without proper pillars to support the foundation, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has observed while speaking at the inaugural function of a day-long farmers training programme on 'Integrated crop production and rejuvenation of old mandarin orchard in Tamenglong, Nungba Sub-division' at Hotel Imphal here today.
Attending the function as Chief Guest of the function, Gaikhangam further observed that agriculture products are necessary not only for our living and daily need, but it is also an important element to develop the country.
He went on to point out with grief that the production of oranges by Tamenglong District has declined over the years even though Tamenglong is a well known district for producing oranges in surplus.
He noted two major reasons for the decline in production of oranges in Tamenglong.
One is the downfall of work culture among the farmers and the other is the frequent epidemic spread to the orange plants due to certain environmental calamities.
"Such decline in production of oranges is not a good sign for the state as well as the farmers who work hard to earn their livelihood by growing oranges", Gaikhangam observed and advised the farmers to tackle this problem by adopting new scientific methods to increase the yield.
.A S.Ningmi, Joint Director, Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Manipur, Dr..R.KDilip Singh, CAU and Dr.Ibohal Singh, CAU attended as the functional president and resource persons respectively.
Hundreds of farmers attended the training programme organized by the Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Manipur under the Orange Development Programme, Tamenglong district.