Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Imphal, January 05 2010:
Proper cares and dedications towards the plantation of the seasonal crop 'mustard' would generate more income than one may assume, said a mustard cultivator of Awang Potsangbam, National Highway-39, Imphal East district.
An average income of about Rs 30,000 in four months can be earned by a mustard farmer on the average in the Awang Potsangbam area.
Mustard, locally called 'hangam' in Manipuri is the favourite of the people in the state.
Its leaves are consumed in various forms.
Interacting with Newmai News Network this morning, N.Ibetombi informed that one farmer easily earns Rs.30,000 in four months.
Income is being generated from the mustard by selling the new mustard leaves and its seed or oil, added N.Ibetombi.
She further stated there is a fall in the productivity of the mustards this year as compared to the previous years owing to the less rainfall and changes in climatic condition.
She also informed that the mustard leaves are sold in the field itself as the customers throng in the fields and start purchasing before being transported in the markets.
Interestingly, Awang potsangbam area along the National Highway-39 is said to be a fertile soil for growing the mustards and famous for the good quality mustards.
It is located on the bank of Imphal River.
Moreover, mustard's botanical name is 'Brassica Campestris' .
Its farmers are doing brisk business in all over the state.
A period between November and March is the right season to cultivate the mustard.
The farmers categorize the mustards into various groups and are being sold according to the tastes of the customers.
Apparently, the state has several educated unemployed youths and most of them have less opportunity to get the government jobs.
Eventually, such youths have started working in their own farms and fields and started the agricultural based business.
While speaking to NNN, one unemployed youth named Ch.
Sanjay of Awang Potsangbam revealed that an income of more than Rs.30,000 is being generated from the plantation of mustards.
He further revealed his desire to get a white collar job .But because of the financial crunch he is just struck in the agricultural works, added the youth.