Horticulture can provide employment to farmers: Ibobi
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 11 2015 : Chief Minister O Ibobi on Thursday stated that Manipur is endowed with natural resources in the hills where horticultural crops can be cultivated, which in turn can provide quality products as well as employment to the farmers to improve their standard of living.

The Chief Minister was inaugurating the "Manipur National Horti Expo cum Workshop-2015" organized jointly by Department of Horticulture, ICAR, CAU and NSFI at the MFDS hall, Palace Compound here.

In his speech, CM Ibobi hoped that this expo will provide an opportunity for all in leveraging the potential and prospects in horticulture sector in the region, besides identifying strategies for further development in horticulture/ floriculture sector.

Chief Minister inaugurating Manipur National Horti Expo cum Workshop-2015

"As you all aware, Manipur is endowed with natural resources in the hill districts where Horticultural crops can be planted to provide quality products as well as employment to the farmers to improve their standard of living.

At present, the State is lagging far behind in commercialization due to lack of exposure to outside States and other countries," he said.

He said organizing the expo with the theme "Strengthening Horticulture Development for Enhancing Productivity, Quality and Sustainable livelihood" was a step towards commercialization of horticultural products in the State.

Ibobi said he was happy to learn that 60 exhibitors including national level companies and delegates including from-Myanmar, firms and companies from the State are expected to participate in the expo.

The buyers and sellers meet will provide an opportunity to the farmers for selling their farm produces profitably, Ibobi said.

He said it is pertinent to mention that ICAR, CAU are joining hands with State government in this programme for bringing the largest benefit to farmers of the State.

"State Government will encourage such initiatives for the betterment of the State and the farmers," Ibobi said.

He was also happy that the expo will give the visitors the taste and quality of unforgettable Tamenglong oranges, the juicy pineapple of Manipur, the aroma of passion fruit of Senapati and Churachandpur, the beauties of Siroy Lily and Dzuko Lily of Ukhrul and Senapati as well as the numerous orchid varieties of the State.

I also got the information that the lemon species found at Kachai village known as Kachai Lemon has got GIS patent in the world recently.

In short, the expo can show the world that the state of Manipur has got numerous flora and fauna which have significant identity, he added.

Ibobi stated that the workshop on "Strengthening Horticultural Development for Enhancing Productivity, Quality and sustainable Livelihood" will create a public private partnership towards development of a new policy.

"I think many renowned scientists, scholars, from ICAR and CAU from inside the State and outside will present papers in the context of Manipur's condition for enhancing production and productivity of important horticultural crops of the State." Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Parliamentary Secretary (Horti & SC) Vungzagin Valte, Joint Secretary/Mission Director (MIDH), DAC Sanjeev Chopra, Vice Chancellor, Central Agricultural University, Manipur Dr M Premjit , Director, ICAR-RC-Umiam, Meghalaya Dr S V Ngachan, among others were present during the function.