Expo concludes
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 30 2023:
The three day Agri Horti Expo for Organic and Indigenous Products of Manipur & Buyer Seller Meet concluded today at Hapta Kangjeibung, Imphal.
Speaking at the valedictory function, Additional Chief Secretary (Horticulture and Soil Conservation) P Vaiphei said that farmers in North East India including Manipur can take many benefits from the organic sector to improve their socio-economic conditions.
Stating that organic farming has become popular among many farmers due to the constant efforts of MOMA and other stakeholders since the past many years, P Vaiphei appealed to the officials and experts at MOMA to continue promoting the organic sector.
The organic farmers need to have entrepreneurial skills too to expand their business, he said and advised the farmers to look for a market beyond Manipur too to get more dividend.
P Vaiphei went on to state that Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) associated with MOMA must help new FPCs in their venture.
It is indeed heartening that the horticulture produces grown in Manipur are now exported to foreign countries and different parts of India, he acknowledged.
Conveying that the Central Government had expressed their delight in sending consignments of U-Morok from Manipur to the United States, P Vaiphei continued that the Government has also expressed their willingness in promoting organic farming in Manipur furthermore, seeing the success of many farmers in the sector.
Further stating that farmers must apply for GI tag for applicable crops whenever possible, he added that marketing of certified crops would be a lot more easier.
Project Director of MOMA K Devdutta Sharma said that the expo was organised to help the farmers in finding markets for their produce.
He also said that MOMA has been working with many farmers to promote organic farming in Manipur since the past seven years.
Director of Horticulture and Soil Conservation Honey Chara also attended the programme.
Meanwhile, ICAR Regional Centre NEH Region Manipur with KVKs won the first place in the State Government/Institute/Agency (Stall) category which carried a cash prize of Rs 30,000 along with certificate and memento while CAU, Imphal finished second (Rs 20,000 cash prize) .
The Directorate of Agriculture won third place (Rs 10,000 cash prize) .
Chak-hao Poireiton Organic Producer Company Limited (first); Nongmaiching Organic Producer Company Limited (second) and Pakan Organic Farmer Producer Company Limited (third) and Jougam Organic Farmer Producer Company Limited (third) were the winners in the FPC category.
On the other hand, MS Meira Singjamei, MS Ngayam Foods, Shiroy Village Ukhrul and Naga Spices and Hubs, Poumai Colony Senapati clinched first, second and third position in the entrepreneur stall category.
In the individual category, Gaidimjeiliu from Noney won first place and Varekan Ramson from Ukhrul finished second.
The prizes of all winners and runners-up were the same.
The programme which commenced on April 28 was organized by the Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA), Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation under the sponsorship of Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, Ministry of Commerce, MOVCDNER, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Government of India and the State Government.