Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 18:
Local variety of turmeric being planted at the Langol hill range contents 6.30 percent of curcumin that puts the product at par with international standard, according to an analytical report of Quality Evaluation Laboratory Spices Board established under Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Govt of India.
In India the Lakadong variety planted at Meghalaya's Shillong area is considered by experts as the best variety for its medicinal contents.
The plantation at Langol Ningthou Leikai being carried out by educated unemployed youths of Manipur and functioning under the name and style of The United Multi-Farming Project also contents high medical value based on tracing of 19.05 percent Oleoresin in the local variety in addition to high curcumin proportion, asserts the Board's finding-Availability of high level of curcumin and oleoresin in the local variety enhances medicinal value of the plant for treatment of ailments concerning anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, jaundice and kidney problem cases besides dual utility as aromatic stimulant, insist the report.
Consequently the Board officials are also reported to have instructed Sanjenthong based Manipur Small Farmers Agro-Business Consortium authorities to expand plantation programme of the turmeric variety at Langol hill range so as to ensure adequate availability of the high quality product.
The Langol project undertaken by some educated unemployed youths since 2002-03 in small tract of land has today developed into a 10 hectare project and is reported to be favourably progressing.
A single plant could yield around half a kilogram of the turmeric variety found at Langol.
Nurseries for plantation of jatropha curcas variety are also underway at the same hill range.