Share
N Biren Singh[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Imphal, July 18 (EMN): Manipur Organic Mission Agency had been able to register 12,500 organic farmers covering 12,500 hectare in the state, said Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Thursday.
Around 4000 MT of ginger had been marketed outside the state procuring more than INR 12 crore this year. In 2018, 1000 MT of ginger was sold by MSTC Ltd., a government of India company fetching INR 1.9 crore, he informed.
Around 150 MT of organic pineapples was airlifted to Delhi and other cities last year, he said.
Informing that the state has been exporting its organic produce to different countries, U-morok had reached Australia, Canada and USA.
The chief minister was speaking at the inaugural function of the newly constructed building of Directorate of Horticulture and Soil Conservation.
He asserted that the state needs to focus on cultivation of pineapple, lemon, orange, ginger and yongchak which are suitable to the soil of the state for economic prosperity.
Cold storage infrastructures are being set up in various districts for the convenience of farmers, he added.
The government is planning to order a crackdown on illegal poppy cultivation in the state, while also weighing the option of growing marijuana at select places for medicinal purposes, Singh said.
Singh, while speaking at the inauguration of Horticulture and Soil Conservation office, said the government along with horticulture department are "minutely discussing" the matter and exploring ways "to provide livelihood to those engaged with plantation of poppy plants".
The poppy cultivators could be motivated to grow horticulture crops, he suggested.
Noting that "plantation of marijuana for medical purposes has been legalized in some countries", the chief minister cautioned that illegal poppy plantation, if not checked, will lead to "serious problems in near future."
Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Th. Shyamkumar said that development of horticulture sector can make Manipur an economically self-reliant state.