RD & PR to procure nursery for distribution
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 14 2023:
The 19th State Level Kachai Lemon Festival 2023 organised by Kachai Fruit Farming and Processing Cooperative Society Limited was held at Kachai village local ground in Ukhrul district on Friday and Saturday.
Attending the inaugural ceremony as chief guest on Friday, RD & PR minister Yumnam Khemchand assured that the department will take up an initiative to procure lemon nursery plants and distribute the same to farmers for widening the coverage area and increasing productivity.
He also proposed the idea of utilising job card hold ers of Kachai village in planting and grooming lemon, which will not only provide them jobs but also save time and money for the farmers, and promote lemon farming.
He also assured of taking up necessary steps for adding more eligible beneficiaries under MGNREGS.
While noting that there are over 1000 hectares of land which can be utilised for planting lemon in order to increase income of the farmers, the minister assured to set up a market shed in the village by March this year to facilitate market accessibility.
Highlighting the potential of exporting lemon after studying price index in the national and international market, he said that getting good profit margin will further motivate the farmers to boost their production capacity by covering more areas.
The minister proposed to the organiser to host the festival on a grander scale from next year and urged all the villagers to participate in the festival.
Wangkhei MLA Thangjam Arunkumar presided over the inaugural function while MIDH mission director Md Jakir Hussain Khan, horticulture & soil conservation Ukhrul district officer Kh Manorama and DIC Ukhrul general manager Themreiyo Awungshi attended the event as guests of honour.
Lemon farmers of the area participated in the festival in over 180 stalls.
Top three winners in Best Kachai lemon and Best Exhibitor categories were honoured during the closing function held on Saturday.
Several cultural programmes were performed as part of the festival.