State joins World Food Day observance
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 16 2012: "There are traces of insincerity visible over distribution of PDS items by the state government to the general public living below poverty line in Manipur, Yendrembam Mangi, Chief Editor of Hueiyen Lanpao has observed.

He was speaking as Functional President of the World Food Day observance function organized by Women Environmental Protection Force (WEPF) at the conference hall of Hueiyen Lanpao at Sega Road Thouda Bhabok Leikai here today.

Mangi suggested that Public Distribution System (PDS) in the state should be taken up with more sincere approach by the state government and see that it is being implemented in the most accurate manner.

In Latin America, Europe and Japan, the production of food items under scientific methods are gaining momentum but in Manipur we are still depending on the traditional method of ploughing the fields with the help of bullocks and application of scientific methods has just started.

So, the government needs to give more priority to food preservation and food security in the state, he added.

Mangi also stressed on the need to observe World Food Day on a larger scale by the state government so that the people are made aware of the issue.

Speaking as Chief Guest of the function, Dr M Homeshwar, Director of Environment and Ecology Wing, said that what is most required by a human being is good food, clean air and sound economy.

As such we need to discuss and ponder over the condition of economy, food and environment security and do the needful in whatever way we can.

The function was also attended by Th Joykumar, Proprietor of Thangjam Agro Industries as Guest of Honour.

S Joykumar, Deputy Director of Food Processing Section, Department of Commerce and Inductries; S Surmangol, Subject Matter Specialist, Plant Building and Genetics, KVK, Thoubal and Dr Kh Ibohal, Assistant Prof of Central Agriculture University (CAU) were among others who spoke as resource persons on the occasion.

The day was also observed under the aegis of Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India) Manipur Chapter along with a 3-day seminar at the Food Processing Hall, Porompat here today.

Inaugurating the seminar as Chief Guest, Minister of Commerce and Industries Govindas Konthoujam noted that although Manipur is abound with specific types of food items it has not yet been able to produce such food of international standard.

Therefore, the state Government will focus in this area and will propose the Central Government for setting up a food technology institute in the state.

He noted that when Manipur was a kingdom food was available abundantly but now the state has become completely depended on other states of India for food.

This indicates lack of work culture among the people today.

Emphasising on the need of maintaining work culture, Govindas said foods made from bamboo soot are eaten in 5-star hotels in many countries today.

However, the state which is bountiful of bamboos has not been able to produce such food of international standard that can be attracted by other countries.

Therefore, the state Government will definitely propose the Central Government to set up a food technology institute in Manipur, he added.

Dr A Tombi, ex- Vice Chancellor of Manipur University, V Taulthang, Additional Director of Commerce and Industries and Diraj Yumnam, Executive Director of Commerce and Industries graced the occasion as Presidium members.

In the technical session, Dr Ranbir Thiyam, Assistant Professor of Animal Science, Central Agriculture University (CAU); Ksh Bimola, Lecturer of Home Science, Ideal Girls' Colege and M Tonjao spoke on different topics related to food security as resource persons.

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