CAU to establish fruit village in Chandel district
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 02 2022:
Under the aegis of ICAR-AICRP (Fruits), IIHR, Bengaluru, All India Coordinated Research Project (Fruits) - Mango of College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal recently conducted a programme for establishment of fruit village at Chakpikarong in aspirational district Chandel.
The programme is aimed at encouraging proactive involvement of the villagers towards development of a fruit village to meet the requirement of the village in terms of nutrition for a healthy life apart from promoting long-term friendly environment and generation of income.
The overall development of the activity may lead to opening of new avenues for creation of agro-tourism in the future.
Inputs like planting materials of fruits, spice crops, organic manures and plant protection chemicals along with chemical fertilisers were distributed td the farmers led by Chakpikarong village secretary Ws Ruwngwar Anal.
College of Agriculture professor Dr RK Dilip, who is also the officer-in-charge of AICRP (F) Mango, and senior assistant professor Dr S Romen, who is also an associated scientist of AICRP (F) - Mango, along with staff of AICRP (F) - Mango demonstrated the scientific approach of orchard layout to the villagers during the said programme.
The programme emphasised on the layout of the orchard as establishment of fruit village is a long term venture and any lapses in the formative stage will be difficult to rectify later.
The planting materials distributed include Mango, Litchi and Sapota with a view to promote and popularise the potential of the fruit crops in the state in general and Chakpikarong in particular.
The villagers were also educated on the importance of proper spacing of the fruit plants during the demonstration programme and the farmers explained on proper handling of the saplings.
Further, the necessity of opening pit and extra care to be taken during the planting process was demonstrated by the subject experts.
The participants were also briefed on provision for growing of intercrops like Ginger, Turmeric, Colocasia and Pulses to generate income during the initial stage of orchard's life.