Imphal, December 06 2008: To find out how far plantation of Mulberry plants taken up in the first phase of the Japan Government funded Sericulture Project in Manipur has been successful, field visit to verify the same has been already underway.

According to an official source, the verification is essential as success of the project depends on successful plantation of the Mulberry plants taken up in various designated area in the first phase.

In view of the possible havoc caused by stray cattles as there are no proper fencing at most of the plantation sites apart from failure of some young saplings to grow, 100 percent success of the plantation can be ruled out.

So there is apprehension that Japanese officials who have inspected plantation sites in the past may be dissatisfied with the work, it said.

In the first phase of the project, plantation of Mulberry plants have been taken up in 1700 hectares of land.

While informing that in the ongoing field visit, efforts would be made to identity how many Mulberry plants have grown successfully and how many have withered, the source conveyed that accordingly required nursery would be prepared for plantation of new saplings in place of those which have failed to grow.

After completion of the necessary ground works for replantation of saplings, Japanese officials would be invited to come to Imphal for inspection of the plantation sites, the official source said, adding that invitation is likely to be extended in January next year.

The source further said that since the role of the farmers in ensuring the success of the project is of paramount important, there is also the need to acquaint the Japanese officials on how much efforts the farmers have been putting in.

Side by side, necessary measures are also being taken up to encourage the farmers and enhance their skills and knowledge.

A joint meeting with the Field Operating Units (FOUs) of the project would be held on December 8 at the mini conference hall of the Secretariat to discuss how many saplings would be required for replantation and how many nurseries should be prepared for the purpose.

It may be noted here that implementation of the first phase of the Japan Government funded Sericulture project in Manipur began in July 1998 through a hired consultant.

However, as the outcome of the work was not satisfactory, the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India stalled further implementation of the project.

It was only after years of lobbying by the Government of Manipur that the restriction was finally lifted and fund for resumption of the project started releasing in March 2005 .

For the first phase of the project, a sum of Rs 136 crores had been sanctioned towards taking up the plantation work and infrastructure development.

It is expected that rs 299 would be released for the second phase of the project.

In the implementation of the project, a total of 1000 FOUs, each comprising five persons are directly being involved along with providing jobs while over 13000 others are expected to be benefited from the project indirectly.

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