Agricultural equipment distributed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 04: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has stated that facility for cold storage and refrigeration vehicle to preserve the horticultural products of the State has been rendered impossible due to erratic power supply.

Speaking at the occasion of distribution of agri-horticultural implements, equipments and products among the farmers at the parade ground of Ist Manipur Rifles here today, the Chief Minister said preservation and storing of these horticultural products may not be arduous in case uninterrupted power supply could be ensured.

The CM during the agricultural equipment distiribution function

Nonetheless, the State Government has been making all out effort to provide regular power supply, he added.

Along with the effort of improving the power situation, the SPF Government has been taking up steps to improve air connectivity, the Chief Minister said, while expressing that this would also help in export of the horticultural products outside the State.

In his address as president of the function, Minister of Horticulture and Soil Conservation Phunzathang Tonsing said the main target of the Department is to increase productions and help the farmers in augmenting their income.

Keeping this in mind, various measures are being taken up under the Technology Mission, he maintained.

Speaker of Manipur Legislative Assembly Dr S Budhichandra Singh and MLA K Meghachandra Singh were also present at the occasion as guests of honour.

Earlier giving the key note address, Secretary of Horticulture and Soil Conservation V Vumlunmang, IAS pointed out that although efforts are also being made to increase horticultural production of the State under the Vision 2020 of the Ministry of DONER, only so far around 60 lakh hectare of land could be covered under horticultural cultivation as against the existing total horticultural field area of 270 lakh hectares.

For export of floriculture products of the State, a memorandum of understanding would be signed with an outside firm very soon, he added.

In all 34 power tillers, 16 diesel run water pumps, 150 bee boxes and seeds were distributed among the beneficiaries during the function.

Director of Horticulture K Ngachan and other officials of the department, ICAR and district level were also present at the occasion.