Govindas projects sericulture as alternative employment avenue
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 25 2015 : The 2015 Cocoon Buyers and Sellers Meet concluded today at Sericulture Project Manage-ment Complex, Sangaipat.

The closing ceremony was attended by Sericulture Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Sericulture Director W Ibohal Singh, District Officers, district Field Operating Units (FOU) and a number of self help groups.

Speaking at the occasion Minister Govindas Kont-houjam said the number of educated youth in the State far exceeds that of the number of posts available in Government Departments.

"This does not mean there are no other things left to fight for," the Minister was quoted adding that the unemployed population of the State could take up sericulture as an alternative means to earn livelihood.

The Department has been conducting various job oriented courses under the seri- culture project with a view to engage the unemployed population of the State in sericul-ture.

Similar programmes would be conducted across the State under North East Region Textiles Promotion Scheme with funds drawn from SPA.

Sericulture Minister Govindas taking a closer look of a cocoon stall

"Although the Department has set a target of producing about 8000 cocoons this season, the actual production is likely to exceed the target," Govindas stated.

There is a massive demand for local sericulture products in the international market.

The cocoons can therefore be sold at a much higher price than its present local market value.

The State would invite international buyers to boost competition among local sericulture farmers, the Minister assured adding that Sericulture Department has also taken up massive steps to increase production.

"We will be able to meet most of the demands soon," he added.

The present phase of Manipur Sericulture Project was launched after it was approved by the Ministry of Textiles under North East Region Textiles Promotion Scheme.

The same scheme launched in 2014-15 would go on for three years.

The Department would take up various sericulture related programmes under the project in the next three years, Sericulture Director W Ibohal stated.

A District Action Plan Committee has been constituted to monitor the works of the 500 beneficiaries selected from each district to work under the project.

Plantation and irrigation expenditures of four valley districts have already been disbursed, Ibohal added.

On several occasions, the Sericulture Minister himself went on field inspection tours to different places.

In the meantime, a number of awareness programmes and orientation programmes for field level functionaries were organised in all the four valley districts.

Scientists from the Central Silk Board were invited and they held a series of workshops.

Cocoon production is expected to rise by 20 per cent this year.

Under the Integrated Sericulture Development Programme, a survey is being conducted to find out the places where plantation of Eri Mulberry would be most suitable.

The same programme would also be taken up in the five hill districts.

A farmer determined to take up sericulture should have his land as well as work force.

Necessary actions would be initiated against those beneficiaries who built dwelling houses out of money loaned for construction of cocoon rearing sheds, Ibohal added.