Farmers can expect profit from processing & marketing of local spices
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 13 2020: A three day training programme on "Processing an marketing of locally available spices of Manipur" kick started at ICAR Imphal training hall in Lamphelpat today.

Joint Director, ICAR, NEHR Manipur Centre, Dr Narendra Prakash, National Institute of Agricultural Marketing (NIAM) Deputy Director (Skill & Mktg) Dr SR Singh, ICAR Manipur Centre Principal Scientist Dr I Meghachandra, Manipur Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium (MSFAC) Project Coordinator MS Khaidem and KVK Imphal West Senior Scientist Kh Hera attended the inaugural function as presidium members.

Speaking at the training programme, Dr Narendra Prakash said that the State's land/soil is suitable for harvesting ginger, turmeric and King chilli.

Farmers are not able to benefit as they sell these fresh spices at cheap rates, he said while adding that they could surely expect profit if these spices are processed and sold in the market apart from selling them fresh.

However, the issue lies in the huge gap between farmers and market, he added.

Such training will emphasise on how to process the spices and how the processed products can reach the market.

MSFAC project coordinator MS Khaidem maintained that the State farmers are in the lead when it comes to productivity as compered to other States.

But, they are lagging behind when it comes to processing and marketing of the products as the farmers lack the knowledge of processing and marketing.

One of the reason for this drawback is the lack of support for credit linkage, he noted.

The Central and the State Governments have launched various initiatives/projects regarding this matter, MS Khaidem said while adding that farmers can reach out to MSFAC as well.

Maintaining that experts will be elaborating on the topic during the three days training, Khaidem appealed to the trainees to gather all the valuable information.

MSFAC in association with KVK Imphal West organised the training under the sponsorship of NIAM.

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