Workshop on documentation of tree beans underway in Manipur

Our Correspondent

Imphal, March 15 (EMN): In an effort to document the variability of yongchak (tree beans) and also to identify and target the real issues of its decline in Northeast state, a two-day state-level workshop cum exhibition of tree beans (Yongchak) began at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR) Manipur centre premises in Imphal on Tuesday.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Director Dr. VK Misra of ICAR-NE hill region, Meghalaya expressed the need to protect and promote the highly economical plant through scientific approach and follow the social approaches.

‘There is a need for the proper integration of the social and scientific interactions and developing agronomical and horticultural practices on its growth and conservation besides identification of major threats,’ Misra said.

‘So let us provide seedlings and necessary funds for the initiative as the tree beans are a wonderful gift of God for the people in Manipur,’ he added.

In his presidential speech during the inaugural function, former Vice Chancellor Prof. Amar Yumnam of Manipur University said there is a need to protect the environment for a better ecosystem while taking up steps to promote and conserve the tree beans.

Director Pulok Kumar Mukherjee of Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development, Joint Director Dr. T Brajakumar of Environment and Climate Change department, Prof. N Mohilal of Manipur University, Dr. S Basanta of Central Agricultural University also spoke on the occasion.

According to Joint Director Dr. I Meghchandra of ICAR Manipur centre, joint steps are being taken up to protect and promote yongchak after the formation of Association for Protection and Promotion of Treebeans (Appot) following a national-level seminar in Manipur university in 2019.

Meghachandra informed that the idea of holding such an event is to save the yongchak plants and take steps to save huge amounts of money spent in importing yongchak from outside the state.

An estimated amount of INR 200 crore plus is spent in importing yongchak from outside the state annually. Yongchak is a cross pollinated leguminous multipurpose tree which bears long, flat edible pods and it is part of the cuisine for the people in Northeast India, particularly Manipur.

The plant parts are used at all stages starting from florets to mature black seeds and can be consumed either in fresh condition or sun-dried for use during off-seasons as it has a lot of nutritional properties.

Three of five sessions on climate change, soil and water management, pests and diseases were held on the first day today. Farmers from different districts also participated in a yongchak exhibition during the workshop.