Milan Koijam meets Tea Board Chairman

IMPHAL, Jan 8
Milan Koijam, Director of Mecley Tea India Private Ltd met with Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Chairman of Tea Board and Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India, today at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi to discuss various pressing issues in Manipur and explore sustainable agricultural alternatives.
A release issued by Mecley Tea informed that the meeting addressed the ongoing Meitei-Kuki crisis in Manipur, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions to uplift the affected communities.
Both parties discussed the challenges posed by the issue of drugs and opium cultivation in the region, seeking ways to address these issues through alternative agricultural practices.
They also deliberated on the suitability of the soil and climate in the affected areas for cultivating various horticultural crops such as tea, orange, large cardamom, vanilla, kiwi, nutmeg, allspice, cocoa, etc.
Recognizing the potential of establishing small tea plantations in the affected areas, it was highlighted that this initiative could create ample job opportunities, serving as a means of self-employment for the local population.
The discussion also extended to the diversification of crops, including orange, arecanut, Stink Bean and cocoa, alongside tea, to promote sustainable agricultural practices.
The parties acknowledged the profitability and contribution to the Prime Minister’s mission on organic farming that growing these crops organically could bring to the region.
Considering the perennial nature of the discussed crops, the meeting highlighted that successful cultivation of these crops could potentially replace opium cultivation in the affected areas.
The Department of Tea Husbandry and Technology, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, Assam, and Central Agricultural University, Department of Horticulture, Manipur, were also identified as key sources for technical guidance on tea cultivation and related agricultural practices.
The meeting also discussed the revival of Jiribam Tea Estate which will not only boost the regional economy but also create employment opportunities and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Moreover, the possibilities of rubber and coffee plantation in Manipur was also explored as part of diversifying the agricultural landscape in the region.
It was observed that the conducive climate and soil conditions in Manipur offer favorable prospects for the cultivation of rubber and coffee crops. The introduction of rubber and coffee plantations holds the potential to contribute significantly to the State's economy and generate income for local farmers.