Japan keen to buy coffee from State
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 27 2020:
Amidst the claim that Manipur is most suitable for coffee plantation among all the North Eastern States, the Government of Japan has expressed keen desire to purchase all the coffee produced in the State.
This was stated by MLA and Khadi & Village Industries Board (KVIB) Chairman L Radhakishore at a field demonstration programme on coffee plantation held at the board's Lamphelpat complex today.
During the field demonstration programme, Coffee Board of India Extension Inspector Miranda Sanjenbam presented a detailed explanation on how coffee should be planted.
Speaking at the gathering, Radhakishore said that among all the North Eastern States, Manipur is most suitable for coffee plantation.
In line with the Government of Japan's assurance to purchase all the coffee produced in the State, a team of Japanese officials would visit coffee plantation sites of the State on February 15.The Japanese team would also sign an MoU with the Coffee Board of India, Coffee Board of Manipur and KVIB, Manipur, Radhakishore said.
Since last year, Coffee Board of Manipur has been preparing coffee saplings in association with the Coffee Board of India after it was sanctioned Rs 10 lakh by KVIB, said the MLA.
He informed that preparation of coffee saplings has been already initiated at Chandel, Litan and Nongmaiching Hills.
Moreover, soil testing and field assessment of areas where coffee plantation would be taken up on commercial scale are almost complete, claimed the MLA.
The valley area is very suitable for coffee plantation but only limited areas are available for the purpose.
As such, it is crucial to develop coffee plantation sites in the hill districts where vast areas are available, Radhakishore said.
Coffee plantation may be taken up jointly by village headmen, village chiefs and MLA representing hill areas, he opined while appealing to all interested farmers to come to KVIB if they want details of coffee plantation.
He also suggested substitution of poppy plantation with coffee plantation in the hill areas of the State.
Coffee plantation would not entail clearing forest areas or cutting down trees.
Coffee plantation can be done by leaving the trees untouched.
Coffee plantation would be taken up in hill areas only after consultation with the Chief Minister and the Forest & Environment Minister, Radhakishore said.
Coffee plants start bearing fruits after three years and coffee plants continue to bear fruits for almost 50 years.
Coffee plantation can definitely provide a decent source of income to all coffee planters apart from improving the State's economy, he added.