Pineapple festival-cum-sellers and buyers meet underway in Manipur

Our Correspondent

Imphal, July 5 (EMN): The 12th state-level pineapple festival-cum-sellers and buyers meet and youth festival is underway at the Thambalnu Market Complex in Manipur.

The festival is being organised by the Development Organisation Andro Kendra (DOAK) in collaboration with Horticulture and Soil Conservation department under the aegis of Eastern Border Area Development Authority.

The festival is held under the sponsorship of North Eastern Council to promote pineapple cultivation to generate a sustainable income for the farming community.

Horticulture And Soil Conservation Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar, chairman of Manipur Building and Other Construction Worker’s Welfare Board, MLA Sekmai Heikham Dingo Singh and Deputy Speaker K Robindro Singh attended the inaugural function of the festival on Thursday.

Various shape and sizes of kew variety pineapples and other products are displayed by 185 stalls, including 115 pineapple stalls. The festival will continue till July 7.

A beauty contest called ‘Pineapple queen’ contest is also scheduled to be held during the festival.

Most of the visitors felt that it is also important to develop the easily marketable products like canned pineapple slices, concentrate, extract and in powder form to minimised transportation cost.