Giriraj promises aid to farmers
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 02 2016: Farmers will benefit enormously after successful installation of an extension counter of Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC) at the proposed Food Park in the State, said Union Minister of State for Small and Medium Enterprises, Giriraj Singh while visiting the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Utlou, Bishnupur district today.

The Union Minister of State was accompanied by Commerce and Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, president of BJP, Manipur Pradesh Th Chaoba, general secretary (Adm) BJP, Manipur Pradesh M Asnikumar, Anwar Hussain and other officials of BJP Manipur Pradesh.

Giriraj, who is on a three day visit to the State, met handloom clusters and artisans of Utlou area.

Earlier, he reviewed the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) with State officials.

Later, he visited different handloom clusters, handicraft clusters, Stevia and Lemon grass nursery in Bishnupur district and also had a stopover at INA Memorial at Moirang and Loktak Lake.

Giriraj at the KVK, Utlou

After inspecting works taken up at KVK Utlou, Giriraj commented that the State is a potential hub of handloom and handicraft.

He further said that FFDC extension counter will be established after the food park is launched in the State.

Through this counter, farmers with low land holdings will get opportunities to grow aromatic and other medicinal plants besides vegetables.

"There will be crop diversification with increased income for farmers upto Rs 1 lakh per acre," he added.

Further, he said that the climatic condition of the State is conducive for aromatic and medicinal plants.

The FFDC will help link up with industries and give opportunities to farmers to gain more profits.

He said that the banks must provide aid to genuine farmers who have sent proposals for PMEGP.

Meanwhile, Commerce and Industries Minister, Govindas stated that with the increase of Non-Performing Assets (NPA) from farmers, banks have failed to give loans to farmers.

But the Union Minister of State has given instructions to the banks to provide necessary help to the genuine farmers, he added.

Further he said that the 'Make in Manipur' programme launched by the State Government on November 26 last year was well appreciated by the visiting Union Minister and added that plans to implement such programme in other neighbouring North Eastern States will be taken up.

If the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises provides the State with three more industrial estates, the State will get an opportunity to set up such estates in each district for further development in medium and small scale industries, he added.

On the other hand, Th Chaoba commented that the KVK, Utlou has been imparting training to farmers of Bishnupur district for the last 12 years after its installation in 2004 .

Unemployed youth are trained by experts from Central Agriculture University and other fields in farming, animal husbandry, fisheries, vermicompost, water harvesting techniques and other allied activities through workshops, training programmes, seminars etc, he added.

Further, he stated that a soil testing laboratory has been installed in the KVK and soil testing facility is provided to farmers.