Farmers' training
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 21 2015 : A five-day sericulture farmers training programme sponsored by the North Eastern Region Textiles Promotion Scheme (NERTPS), Ministry of Textiles kick-started today at Wangoo Chithek Leikai, Bishnupur district.

The inaugural function of the training programme being organised by the District Sericulture Officer, Bishnupur was attended by Sericutlure, Commerce &Industries and Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Minister Govindas Konthoujam, MLA Sanasam Bira and Sericulture Director W Ibohal as chief guest, president and guest of honour respectively.

Speaking at the occasion, Govindas remarked that the Manipur Sericulture Project taken up with financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) was implemented like a contract work.

Buildings constructed for rearing silk worms are being either occupied by people or used as cattle sheds.

On account of the lapses and discrepancies committed in implementing the project, JICA has declined to invest any more money in the project.

Nonetheless, farmers, workers and other people engaged in sericulture need not worry.

The project is being carried forward after Rs 150 crore was sanctioned under the NERTPS.

Against the proposal to invest Rs 400 crore in the Manipur sericulture project, Rs 150 crore was sanctioned.

Loans would be given to selected farmers/workers of Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur and Thoubal for plantation of mulberry, development farm nursery, construction of silk worm rearing sheds etc, Govindas stated.

In the first phase, 30 per cent of the grants have been already distributed to the selected farmers/workers, the remaining amounts would be distributed soon.

This time the loan amounts would be given directly to the farmers and they would be issued 'sericulture pass books'.

Three most laborious and innovative farmers from each of the four districts and would be sent for training to different States of India, Govindas stated.

Meanwhile, due preparations have been initiated to evaluate and monitor all the works of sericulture project through GIS.

For this, a special software has been developed in consultation with the NIC.

Govindas said that evaluation and monitoring of different projects through GIS would be introduced in Commerce & Industries and Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Departments.

Staff detailed for seri polyclinic would be given a Honda Activa scooter each so that they can deliver benefits of the scheme at the door steps of farmers.

He called upon one and all to put in maximum efforts so that sericulture is developed as the State's most reliable employment generator.

Director W Ibohal said that this is not something new to the people of Manipur.

What is unique about Manipur as far as sericulture is concerned is the presence of Muga, Eri, Oak-Tasar and Mulberry plants.

In another States, all the four plants do not grow together.

Quoting a team of scientists, Ibohal said that North East region would soon become the most productive silk belt in the country.

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