Govt eyes organic farming policy, action plan
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 28 2023:
Stating that the government has been able to expand the area under organic farming to over 37,900 hectares and export the products, chief minister N Biren has informed that the government is planning to implement the organic farming policy, strategy and action plan at the soonest policy.
Speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function of a 3-day Agri-Horti Expo and Buyer Sellers' Meet being organised by Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA), Department of Horticulture & Soil Conservation under the aegis of Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, Ministry of Commerce, MOVCDNER, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, and government of Manipur at Hapta Kangjeibung, here, on Friday, the chief minister informed that sites for setting up Gobardhan plant have been identified in four districts and market intervention scheme initiated for horticulture so as to promote the farmers and protect their products.
The farming community need not worry about marketing issues as the government will be buying their products.
Moreover, a number of cold storages have been set up at different parts of the state.
Organic farming was initiated by the state government in 2016 in 5000 hectares by engaging 5000 farmers.
In 2021-22, the area of organic farming increased to around 37,900 hectares to meet the demands of organic products from outside the state.
The state government has exported organic products amounting to around Rs 200 crore in the last 6 years out of which organic products worth around Rs 30 crore were sold to the other states and another Rs 1.5 crore products export to foreign countries, he explained.
While expressing confidence that the expo will help promote local organic products in addition to providing interactive and competitive eco-system among the stakeholders, CM Biren said that farmers will have the opportunity of displaying their products in addition to learning from one another.
He also informed that the indigenous Chak-hao (black rice), orange of Tamenglong, ginger of Pherzawl and lemon of Kachai are in huge demand in other countries.
The indigenous pineapple of Manipur was also displayed during the Export Promotion programme in Dubai.
In the last 6/7 years, we have been able to export organic products amounting to Rs 140 crore, he added.
The chief minister further said that all preparations have been made to inaugurate the Magfruit factory at Nilakuthi where cold storage facility, cleaning, grading, sorting and packing facilities and specialised storage facilities will be made available.
The state government is all set to introduce Advanced Drone Technology in agriculture and allied sectors for the benefit of the farming community, for which 60 drones have already been procured.
Moreover, the farmers have been provided financial assistance through DBT.
The government will also hand over state awards for best organic farmers, best organic FPC, best service provider and best entrepreneur, he further added.
Biren continued that Manipur could become a model state in the northeast, if its potentials and farmers' skills are utilised effectively.
However, we need to know the feasibility of a product in a particular region, he said and stressed the need for the horticulture department to identify the product suitability, give emphasis on planting the identified product and also extend monetary and technical support to enhance their production.
Pointing out the adverse effect of large-scale poppy cultivation on soil and environmental, the chief minister reiterated his government's firm stand on the War oil Drugs campaign and uprooting poppy cultivation.
He also stated that the government is ready to face any outcomes, during its mission to save the future generation of the state.
Delivering the presidential speech, horticulture and soil conservation minister Letpao Haokip said that the three-day event fulfilled the cherished dream of the state and the horticulture department to comprehensively showcase the unique horticulture and agricultural products and to create marketing linkage.
The minister continued that the Buyer- Seller Meet would create a platform for buyers from different parts of the northeast as well as outside the region to interact with farmers' organisations and emergent entrepreneurs for coherent and long-term partnership.
He expressed confidence that the event would encourage discussion and deliberation in order to provide solutions and create a strategy towards the increasing challenges faced by the farmers and agribusiness sector.
Earlier, the chief minister visited the stalls set up by various agencies of the agriculture and horticulture department, Indian Council of Agricultural Research-NER Regional Centre, College of Agriculture (CAU), various Farmer Producer Company and Van Dhan Vikas Kendra among others.
Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation chairman MLA Kh Ibomcha, additional chief secretary P Vaiphei, senior officials of North Eastern Region Agriculture Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMAC), Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, officials of the horticulture department and farmer producer companies also attended the programme.
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