Govt ready to expand cultivation area to meet the demands for organic products: Shyamkumar
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, October 16 2018:
The Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department today achieved yet another milestone as the second organic outlet in the State was inaugurated at Khuman Lampak, Apex Society Complex, opposite Manipur Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT), Chingmeirong today.
The organic outlet is initiated by Ukhrul District Tribal Development Committee (UDTDC) under the supervision of Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA), Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department.
MOMA is the nodal agency for implementation of central scheme, Mission Organic Chain Development for North East Region (MOCD-NER), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Speaking as chief guest of the inaugural function, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar raised concern over the rising number of health issues.
Hoping that consumption of organic produces will reduce many of the health problems, he said that the Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department is aiming to avail organic produces/products from far flung areas of the State to achieve an organic State status.
The Minister further announced that the State Government is ready to expand the cultivation area in view of the increasing demand for organic produces.
He also lauded his department as the first organic outlet in the State at Sanjenthong was opened last year before the Manipur Sangai Festival, which is also the first of its kind in the entire North East region.
Appealing to the people to buy organically certified produces from the organic outlet, he said consuming organic produces will help maintain a healthy lifestyle and help the organic farmers to generate income as well.
The Minister urged UDTDC to sell organic produces with sincerity to make Manipur a healthy State.
K Debdutta Sharma, Project Director, MOMA said that there are already 12,500 registered organic farmers in the State out of which 5000 organic farmers including 500 from Ukhrul district are in the second stage awaiting for organic certification.
Terming the opening of the second outlet as an achievement, he informed that opening of another organic outlet is in the pipeline at Sanjenthong, under the State Agriculture Department.
He said the Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department is planning to showcase the organic produces of the State at major cities of the country, which requires maximum support from every stakeholder.
Stating that the consumers today are very health conscious, he said that the organic outlets are aiming those who are highly conscious of their health and lifestyle.
He advised UDTDC to maintain all the parameters laid down by the Department and asked the committee to maintain a record book to identify and verify the origin of the organic produces/ products.
JC Ramthanga, Principal Secretary (Horticulture and Soil Conservation), K Kipgen, Director, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department, Yuman Ranjit Singh, Chairman, Apex Cooperative Society, officials of Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department, farmers from Ukhrul, Bee Keeping team from Ningthi village, Kamjong district along with UDTDC members were present in the inaugural ceremony.