Hill farmers urged to plant high value crops
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 19 2022: Asserting that the state is gifted with fertile soil and natural resources, Horticulture and Soil Conservation minister Letpao Haokip has called upon the farmers, especially in the hill areas to give up poppy farming and to cultivate fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants with high profitability.

He was attending the in augural function of the 15th State Level Manipur Pineapple Festival along with celebration of 75 years of Pineapple cultivation organised as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav at Dr Kalam Ground, Bunglon High School Campus, Churachandpur district on Friday.

Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Letpao said that many of the people have limited idea about income generation through plantation and cultivation.

The state has fertile soil which is suitable for growing a variety of plants and vegetables.

One can generate income by adopting cultivation as a profession instead of preferring white colour job.

The vast areas covered by hills can be used as god-gifted resources to boost the economy if the people have the right concept for cultivation, the minister opined.

As farming in hill areas are generally confined to cultivation of arum and sesame, which brings minimal profit, farmers in hill areas tend to divert their attention towards illegal poppy plantation as it is highly profitable in a short span, he said.

Considering the negative impact of poppy plantation, farmers can choose cultivation of other high value crops and medicinal plants such as cardamom, avocado and saffron among others.

One kg of saffron (keshar) costs around Rs 4 lakh while avocado are in high demands in five and seven star hotels.

It is time the farmers in the hills stop depending on the food produced in less than 10 per cent area of the valley as they can be the major pro ducer of food products of the state through judicious use of the 90 per cent of hill areas, Letpao explained.

He also suggested that they should have the habit of plantation.

Planting trees will help to save the environment.

Stressing the need for protecting the environment, the minister said that the horticulture department will help the farmers in addressing their problems.

The government is always ready to supply necessary items to the farmers, he added.

He also assured of setting up a cold storage unit of 5 metric tonnes capacity at Khousabung, Bunglon.

Another 200 metric tonnes capacity cold storage unit with 5 MT of pre cooling unit will be installed at Tvaison while a 10 MT staging cold room will be set up at Khousabung soon, he said.

Health and IPR minister Dr S Ranjan, who presided over the function, said that the taste of the pineapple of the state is unique.

The juicy pineapple of the state is preferred by people in other states as well as countries.

The government had started exporting organic pineapple grown in different parts of the state, he added.

Social Welfare minister H Dingo, MLAs Letzamang Haokip, Janghemlung Panmei, Chinlunthang and J Kumo Sha also attended the function as guests of honour.

A monolith was unveiled and a souvenir titled 'Footprints 2022' was also released as part of the festival.

Letpao Haokip also provided cash assistance of Rs 3 lakh from MOMA and Rs 2 lakh from MIDH to the organising committee.

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