Should leverage natural resources into economic development: Govindas
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Nomita Khongbantabam
Imphal, May 02 2015 :
Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam on Saturday stressed on the need for leveraging natural resources of the State into economic development.
"Maintaining work culture by the educated youth with determination will bring in development in Manipur," the minister told Hueiyen Lanpao on the sidelines of a function here.
Earlier, the minister flagged off 36 persons from Industries office at Lemphel, who will take part in a training programme on cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants at Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh.
Govindas said there is high demand for "shangbrei," herb which is used in the aromatic "Cheng-hi," a natural hair conditioner by Manipuris, in other States of the country.
He said the demand for Stevia, a sugar substitute that comes from a plant and also ginger and turmeric available in the State is very high in both the domestic and international markets.
Govindas added that under the guidance of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi the State will be leveraging all these aromatic and medicinal plants and herbs into economic development under "zero unemployment programme" .
The minister informed that there is only one such industry at Kannauj.
For the State, he disclosed, a massive cultivation of these plants will be carried out in a 30 acre of land area in Ningthoukhong in Bishnupur district.
Govindas further informed that a 30 acre of land area has been acquired at Nilkuthi where a laboratory and infrastructure for this project will be developed and that requisite staff will also be recruited for it.
In this regard, the State Government has already submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC), he added.
The minister also informed that the State Commerce and Industries Department will be taking up this project with proper training under the Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India.