14th Orange Festival commences at Tamenlong

Minister announces Rs. 50 lakh assistance for setting up of a cold storage in Tamenglong district; Rs 13.75 lakh for rural markets and Rs 12 lakh towards primary processing unit

Our Correspondent
Imphal, Dec. 6 (EMN): The 14th state level Orange Festival 2017 was formally inaugurated at Tamenglong town about 150 km west of Imphal on Wed.
For the first time the festival will continue for five days with a number of events including seminar on promotion of oranges cultivation and prospects besides discussions on other development activities in the Tamenglong district at the hill town from Dec. 6 till 10th.
Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar was the chief guest of the inaugural function and was attended by the local MLA Samuel Jendai and DC Armstrong Pame. Tamei Awangbow Newmai, ADC Tamenglong Chairman, DC Thoubal and government officials of various departments also attended the function.
Speaking on the occasion Minister Shyamkumar announced Rs 50 lakh assistance for setting up of a cold storage in Tamenglong district. The cold storage will be set up under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture for the 2017-2018.
Shyamkumar also announced Rs 13.75 lakh assistance for setting up of rural markets in Tamei and other suitable areas in the district along with Rs 12 lakh assistance towards primary processing unit for the farmers.
Stating that Progeny Orchid Farm needs to be revived, he stressed on the requirement for a series of awareness program to help increase the production of the Tamenglong oranges. He said the department has sent a project proposal to North Eastern Council for the production of Tamenglong komla (orange), Senapati kiwi, Kachai Lemon, Pineapples of Imphal East and Churachandpur besides developing floriculture projects at Sendra in Bishnupur district, Andro in Imphal East district and Shiruiin Ukhrul district.
Shyamkumar who holds forest portfolio also informed that environment department will promote bamboo production in the district.
He also announced to increase the first prize for the best orange growers from Rs 1.75 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. The second prize will get Rs 1 lakh and Rs 75,000 for the third prize respectively. All the participating farmers in the festival will get Rs 6,000 as consolation prizes.
MLA Samuel Jendai and DC Armstrong also spoke on the occasion.
More than 120 stalls are being displayed with over 2 lakh oranges during the festival.