MOMA plans organic outlet in Dubai
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 30 2025: Horticulture and Soil Conservation director K Debdutta has informed that the Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA), under the aegis of the Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, is planning to open an outlet for organic products from the state in Dubai.

He made the disclosure at a one-day interaction programme on organic and natural farming organised by MOMA in collaboration with All India Radio (AIR), Imphal at the farmers' training hall of the Directorate of Agriculture near Sanjenthong, here, on Thursday.

On the occasion, MOMA also facilitated contract signing between Odisha-based Konkuwan Herbs and 16 Farmers' Producer Companies (FPCs) of the state for cultivating Chia plants.

MOMA plans organic outlet in Dubai

Addressing the event as chief guest, Debdutta recounted that when MOMA introduced organic farming in 2015, there were not much knowledge on organic farming and idea of setting up FPCs in the state.

"In the initial years, there were only 385 organic farmers but today, the number has risen to over 46,000, thanks to the proactive nature of the farmers," he said.

At the same time, he said, in the initial years, organic farmers faced a big challenge of marketing their organic products which include ginger, turmeric, GI-tagged lemon, orange, king chili, and Chak-hao among others.

Later, MOMA facilitated value addition through standard packaging with nutritional values printed, which made it easier to sell the products.

As a result, demand for organic products from the state is growing, he informed.

Discussing the benefits of contract farming, Debdutta said that with this, farmers will no longer face the issue of marketing their products as all the produces will be procured by the firm with whom the farmers signed contract.

He also delved on the market system in the state and how farmers/small time traders bring farm produces to Imphal and sell them at an uneven/non-standardised rate.

"Prices of farm produces are decided by the respective governments in other states.

Similarly, the market in the state needs to be regulated," he observed, adding that it would be beneficial for the farmers.

Joint director (agriculture) TS Gladney Monsang, Konkuwan Herbs co-founder Rajeshwar Bhabala, and AIR Imphal, head of programme, Nongthombam Roma also attended the interaction programme.