First organic outlet in hill district opened
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Senapati, February 15 2020: Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Th Shyamkumar inaugurated an organic outlet in Tusii Nganii Khumai (TNK) Village, Senapati DHQs today.

It is the fifth organic outlet and the first in a hill district which was opened by Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA), under the aegis of Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department.

Addressing the reporters, Shyamkumar said that Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department aims to open such outlet in every district so that the organic produces which are available in the interior areas of every district can be collected and sold at an appropriate place.

He said that people are now adopting healthy lifestyles and opting for chemical free food produces/products.

Sensing the need of the hour, the department is working sincerely to open more organic outlets and render other benefits to beneficiaries.

He also said the produces which are unavailable in a particular district can be sold at the organic outlet by bringing in the produces.

Shyamkumar maintained that one of the objectives of opening such outlet is to also sell organic food produces/products in a hygienic way.

K Debadutta Sharma, Project Director, MOMA, said that since 2016, organic scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, GoI has been continuously implemented in the State.

He said, under the scheme, the department identified some of the organic food products which were then processed, branded and sold outside the State.

He said the opening of organic outlet will surely give awareness to the masses which in turn can help the society to become healthier and to keep serious diseases at bay.

Stating that the organic outlet opened today will help the 1,500 organic farmers of Senapati district, he said if the Centre continues the scheme, than such organic outlets will be opened in the district headquarters of Churachandpur, Ukhrul and Tamenglong districts.

John Sha, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Senapati district said that the people of the district are privileged to have the organic outlet, which will benefit the farmers in selling their produces.

Stating that increase in population has made some people to adopt unethical means to earn profit, he said usage of chemical fertilizers is dangerous for the people as well as for the soil.

John Sha appealed to all to go organic and use bio-fertilizers to become sustainable He further gave suggestion that the MOMA under the Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department can tie up with the tribal people under the Van Dhan Vikas Kendra scheme in helping them to sell their final products.

The DFO further stated that the scheme is an initiative targeting livelihood generation for tribal population by harnessing the wealth of forest i.e Van Dhan.

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