Manipur suitable for growing cotton : Radhakishore

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Mar 14 : Chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB), Laishram Radhakishore has categorically stated that Manipur is suitable for growing cotton.
Addressing a calendar launching function of KVIB at its Lamphelpat office,  L Radhakishore said that the board sent a proposal to the Government for planting cotton in 2019-20, emphasising on the handloom sector.
Upon receiving the green signal from the Government, KVIB planted cotton on 15 acres of land in Jiribam, he said.
Radhakishore also informed that the Government has given 100 hectares of land to the board, solely for growing cotton.
Speaking about the War on Drugs campaign of the Government, he opined that coffee plantation could be a suitable alternative for poppy growers.
Under the supervision of National Coffee Board (NCB), about 1.81 lakh coffee plants are being planted by 226 farmers in 17 villages of 7 districts of Manipur, he said and continued that the plants are inspected by experts of NCB periodically, apart from giving training to the growers.
Radhakishore further stated that the KVIB, Manipur has given loans worth about Rs 20 crore to different khadi and village industry units from 1995-96 to 2004-05 under Consortium Bank Credit (CBC) of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
Unfortunately, as the loans were not returned, KVIB owes about Rs 79 crore to the Commission, he said and added that the debts need clearance for applying a new project (s) and as such legal notice has been sent to 44 individuals/groups to return the loans.
KVIB, Manipur is also working to promote pre-existing village industries in the State under Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) such as apiculture, weaving, toy-making in Bishnupur,  pottery in Thoubal and bamboo and cane crafts in Tamenglong.