Black scented rice (chahaomubi) – the black gold of Manipur
- Part 2 -

Prof Ningthoujam Ram Singh *

Chak-Hao (black scented rice) :: Pix Courtesy - SFAC

The main value added products from Chahaomubi are

1. Indigenous black beer and fermented food and wine

2. Beatened rice, cake, paratha, ladhu, and other sweetened food

3. Syrup, chocolate and several beverage drinks

4. Shampoo and other toilet soaps etc.

There is scope for earning foreign exchange of Manipur from the export of value added Chahaomubi. Not only for giving employment and income it will developed organic farming because of its organic plant in character. The quality of Chahaomubi is increased or decreased according to the use of more as less organic method of farming.

For an abrupt economic growth of Manipur, we need to adopt Start Up Policy of the Government of India with large scale production of Chahaomubi and development of industries based on Chahaomubi rice. For development of Chahaomubi based agri-business we would be required to collaborate national and international business organisations for production marketing and supply chain management etc.

The rural people of Manipur used Chahaomubi for value added products and employed many underemployed and unemployed farm women in production, processing and marketing activities. At present one kg of Chahaomubi at the rate of Rs 40/- earn an income of Rs 200/- after value addition. The demand for value added Chahaomubi products have been increasing in Manipur and Myanmar.

Scientific production and proper agri-business management of Chahaomubi would be possible to develop and growth of the economy of Manipur.

The essential prerequisites for the development of Chahaomubi (Black scented Rice) based Agri-business of Manipur State are as follows:

(a) Application of latest agricultural equipment, tools and implements suitable to the small farmers including hill farming.
(b) Adoption of organic method of farming.
(c) Cheap and regular transport system.
(d) Provision of Information and Communication System.
(e) Availability of working capital and long term finance with proper insurance.
(f) Adoption of cooperative Society and Self Help Groups or Cluster groups for production, storage processing and marketing of products.
(g) Proper management of input water resources and
(h) Provision of regular power supply.

For achieving the goal of Chahaomubi based Agri-business activities in the backward hill state of Manipur appropriate technology needs to be applied which would bring about favourable impact on environment and agro ecology of the region.

Chahaomubi based Agri-business would be a successful business of Manipur state because of the following reasons.

a) Favourable location of industry.
b) Potential for optimum resource of raw material.
c) Skilfulness of the people in organisation and management.
d) Abundance of financial resources from different resources.
e) Vast area marketing in and out of the state.
f) Rich knowledge in research and innovation of the manpower resources.

Above all there would be important requisites of a vary good Agri-business in the state. The main requisites for a good business for the region are:

a) Tact and country of the people.
b) Honesty of the organisation and management.
c) Sound business education relating to the changing economy.
d) Essence of leadership and winning personality in organisation and management of the business.

Management of any agribusiness organisation generally operates in both external and internal environment. External environment gives opportunities to innovate, to change, to offer customer satisfaction, etc. Internal environment point out the strength and weakness of the organisation and its capacity to exploit the opportunities and overcomes risks.

An agribusiness represents the integration of structured activities. A person of Manipur needs to work in groups, using knowledge and technique, in order to accomplish common purpose for development Black Scented rice agribusiness. It would be one of the most important beginnings for overall growth of the economy of Manipur.

There is a very bright scope for the success of Black Scented Rice based agribusiness in Manipur. The main factors for development of the business are:

(a) Reliability of supply of raw materials as there is regular in production of chahaomubi.
(b) The size and the number of supplies of the raw material would be increased when there is rising demand.
(c) The volume of local purchasing in the NE Region would be increasing because of the rising incomes level.
(d) There is a very wide ethical consideration among the consumers particularly in Indo Myanmar region.
(e) There is a very frequently trade exhibitions relating to agribusiness activities in India and Asian countries.
In the fact of the above points there is a very wide scope for development of Chahaomubi based agribusiness in Manipur state.

Concluded....