CAU Imphal VC stresses on collective effort in making Manipur self reliant
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 02 2019: Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal Vice Chancellor Dr M Premjit has called for a collective effort of the society to make the State self reliant on food and economy.

He was speaking as the chief guest in the inauguration of the first State Level Mango Diversity Fair � CAU, 2019 which was held at the conference hall of CAU, Iroishemba today.

Further saying that building a green revolution is a requisite thing in making the State self-reliant on food and economy, the Vice Chancellor also highlighted the potential and strategies for booming agriculture and allied sectors.

He said that proper channelization and enhancement of certain products like honey and mustard oil will go a long way towards minimizing or replacing the import of the same products for consumption in the State.

Stressing on the conservation and exploitation of indigenous Mango varieties of Manipur, Premjit contended that scientists should work together with the local experts who have vast experiences in ground reality regarding the matter.

He added that merely collecting the indigenous varieties of Mangoes or carrying out germplasm solely by the scientists will not be sustainable towards conserving and promoting the indigenous varieties of Mangoes.

Stating that indigenous varieties of Mangoes should be cultivated in large scale while trying to conserve them, the Vice Chancellor further mooted the idea of developing a model village where mangoes are grown in large scale after identifying an appropriate area/village in the State.

Delivering the presidential speech at the function, CAU, Imphal Dean Professor AN Ganeshmurthy noted that the indigenous Mango varieties found in the North East region has some special characteristics.

The varieties of Mangoes found in the North East region have more presence of acidity which makes the said Mango varieties more advantageous in processing and preservation like pickling, although they are not deem fit for table purpose, Ganeshmurthy said adding that the advantages of the unique Mango varieties found in the State and North East region should be reaped in suitable manner.

College of Food Technology, CAU, Imphal Dean Dr Y Jekendra who attended the function as a guest of honor drew the attention of the State Government towards conserving and promoting the indigenous Mango varieties of the State.

CAU, Imphal Registrar Dr K Mamocha Singh and Director of Extension Education Dr Ratan Kumar Saha also attended the function as guest of honor.

Later, the VC formally opened the First State Level Mango Diversity Fair � CAU, 2019 and inspected all the stalls opened during the fair.

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