Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 15:
Under the initiative of the state Horticulture Department over 4 lakh saplings of banana plant have been distributed to farmers free of cost from which banana cultivation had been undertaken on a large scale in the districts of Imphal East, Imphal West and Bishnupur.
The mass banana plantation campaign is being undertaken under the financial assistance of the Central Govt with the sapling nurtured and distributed to the farmers from the Progeny Orchard Farm located in the Model Floriculture Centre-I at Mantripukhri.
officials of the Centre-I farm told this reporter that the banana variety called grand-Naine grows upto 6-7 feet and originates from south America.
The State Horticulture Department procured the same from Jain irrigation System Limited of Jalgaon in Maharastra State.
Suitable for plantation in both summer and winter seasons, April to May informed to be the most conducive in the summer seasons while for the winter cultivation of the banana variety should be in between October till November 15.
Severe cold and dry weather/ground conditions normally associated with winter months not only stunts the growth but is also susceptible to withering, cautioned the officials.
From initial plantation to reaping the fruit it takes about a year while in the second year only the new growths should be groomed and from the third year new sapling should be implanted.
Expressing confidence that banana production in the State in the coming years would be optimum with the plantations already covering large tracts of Imphal East, West and Bishnupur districts, the officials drew the attention of the State Government to chalk out plan for establishing food processing plants to ensure that the enormous production are utilised in a productive manner.
They also informed that under the 2001 Prime Minister's package the 'Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture in North East Region' was set up under which nurturing of five floral variety is being taken up in the farm premises.
Naming the flower varieties as anthurium, gerbera, rose, bird of paradise and carnation, the Department officials also conveyed that under the scheme interested persons may avail assistance on infrastructure and added that these flower varieties are in high demand abroad.