CAU pitches for sunflower cultivation in state
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kakching, April 03 2025: Recognising suitability of sunflower cultivation to the state's environmental conditions, professor Th Robindro, who is deputy director of Directorate of Extension Education, Central Agricultural University (CAU) Imphal, has urged the farming community to cultivate sunflowers extensively after paddy harvesting when the fields lie fallow.

He made the statement during an inspection of a sunflower farm at Samtak Loukol in Wangoo Laipham Awang Leikol, Kakching district, conducted by CAU Directorate of Extension.

The plantation is being undertaken by farmer members of Loumi Shinmi Apunba Lup (LOUSAL).

An interaction programme with the farmers was also organised as part of the visit.

Speaking at the field visit cum interaction programme, professor Robindro pointed out the need to cultivate a variety of crops, fruits and vegetables in response to changing climatic conditions.

This, he said, would help farmers enhance production and achieve self-sufficiency in food.

Under this initiative, the sunflower farming project has been implemented by CAU in collaboration with ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad, as part of the Expansion of Oilseed Production in Manipur.

He further informed that the sunflower plantation project has been ongoing for the past two years in various districts, yielding successful results, while adding that this year, preparations have been made to cultivate sunflowers across 20 'pari' of land.

He reiterated the need for extensive sunflower cultivation in the state after harvesting paddy crops.

Addressing concerns about market availability, professor Th Robindro assured that sunflower cultivation holds economic potential, as Manipur imports large quantities of edible oil for consumption.

By cultivating sunflowers on a large scale, the state could reduce its dependence on external sources, curb financial outflow and generate employment opportunities for the people.

The field visit was also attended by CAU Directorate of Extension Education director professor Ph Ranjit and LOUSAL president L Kiran.

Comment