"Coconut plantation can generate income easily"
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 22 2019: Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation under the aegis of Coconut Development Board, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, GoI, organised a State level workshop on "Aspects and prospects of coconut production and post harvest technology/Value addition" at the conference hall of Hotel Imphal today.

Speaking as the chief guest of the function, Commissioner, Horticulture & Soil Conservation and Transport, M Harekrishna maintained that the workshop was organised with an objective to take up wide plantation of coconut in the State and to generate income for the State farmers.

Conveying that coconut plants were planted in Jiribam a few years back, the Commissioner added that necessary steps are being taken up to plant it in Moreh and Tamenglong.

He stated that farmers can easily generate income from coconut plantation and added that coconut is a fruit which has immense health benefits apart from being an important ingredient in making foods.

The Commissioner urged all to take part in this initiative as it can be a source of livelihood for the farmers and can in turn improve the State's revenue as well.

CDB, Regional office, East & NE, Guwahati, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, GoI Lunghar Obed who attended as the functional president appealed to all the farmers and the people taking part in the workshop to show active and enthusiastic participation.

Maintaining that coconut has always been a crucial ingredient when it comes to occasions, ceremonies and festivals in the North East region, Obed added that coconut trees last for around 70 years after plantation.

Coconut trees bear fruit every year and it is one such plant that can benefit for generations, he said while adding that farmers have to take proper care and manage the trees.

He further stated that if coconut plantation becomes widely successful in the State, then coconut industries can be established as well.

Obed stated that the authorities concerned are planning to plant 60 hectares of coconut trees in Manipur while eight Ha have been planted coconut in Jiribam.

Some are also planted in Tamenglong and Imphal as well, he added.

Director, Department of Horticulture & Soil Manipur Kh Sayakiran and Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region Dr Narendra Prakash as the guests of honour.

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