CM rewards Ukhrul apple growers
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 30 2021: Chief minister N Biren on Wednesday handed over a cheque of Rs 1 lakh each to Augustina Awungshi Shimray and Ringphami Thingshung of Ukhrul district in recognition of their hand work and successful venture into apple farming.

Consequent to intimation from the CM's office that the government will be rewarding them, the Ukhrul farmers met the chief minister and gifted him a basket of their first harvest of apple from their respective orchards.

Appreciating their venture, the CM also announced that the state government will sponsor them to train farmers interested in apple farming through Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA).

Taking to his Twitter handle, the CM said: "It was very encouraging to meet Ms Awungshi Shimray Augustina who had successfully harvested over 150 kg of apples from her orchard in Poi village, Ukhrul.

Augustina's bold decision to experiment with an apple orchard and subsequently harvesting it successfully has shown an avenue on how our farmers can diversify into profitable crops".

In a place like Manipur, the knowledge about diversification into profitable crops can play a significant role in transforming the poppy affected areas as well, he added.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, farmers, mostly youth, in Ukhrul district have harvested a good amount of apples this year as part of the pilot project being initiated by the North East Council (NEC).

In 2019, around 20 youths belonging to various villages in Ukhrul district went to attend a workshop on apple cultivation in Himachal Pradesh organised by NEC and sponsored through the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in a mission to reach out to Northeast villages to experiment with a pilot project of apple cultivation.

So far, the apple produced by the farmers and its texture and taste is exceptionally good and it has a high marketable standard.

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