MOMA eyes Dubai for outlet
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IMPHAL, Jan 30 : An outlet of Manipur’s organic agriculture and horticulture produces would be opened soon at Dubai, according to Horticulture and Soil Conservation Director K Debadutta Sharma.
An interaction programme on organic and natural farming was held today at the farmers’ training hall of Agriculture Department, Sanjenthong under the aegis of Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA) and Akashvani Imphal.
Speaking at the interaction programme, K Debadutta claimed that the State’s economy will grow considerably if people/farmers shift to extensive organic farming.
MOMA had a very hard time convincing farmers to take up organic farming when it first introduced the practice of organic farming in the State in 2015-16.
At the time of introducing organic farming, only 385 farmers were registered for organic farming but today their number has multiplied to over 46,000, he said.
Vegetables and fruits like ginger, turmeric, lemon, orange, U-Morok etc which are cultivated by following organic methods are also cultivated in other States but Chak-hao is unique to Manipur.
There was no buyer for Chak-hao when it was first cultivated organically. Its demand rose steadily after its unique properties and nutrients were highlighted repeatedly at several fairs, the Horticulture and Soil Conservation Director said.
Many people are now offering to buy Chak-hao provided it is packaged properly and its nutrients are displayed on the packages, he said.
He then called upon farmers to produce fruits and vegetables which are unique to the State in organic manner. This will help in augmenting the farmers’ income considerably, he added.
With MOMA acting as a facilitator, 16 farmer-producer companies of the State signed a contract with Odisha-based Konkuwan Herbs on farming Chia in Manipur.
The two sides also signed a buy back agreement of Chia seeds produced by the 16 companies. If there are robust demands and crops produced by farmers can be marketed properly, the sweat and toil of farmers will pay rich dividends, Debadutta said.
An outlet of Manipur’s organic produces has been already opened at Delhi and a similar outlet would be opened soon at Dubai, he said. Vermicompost packets as well as Chia seeds were also distributed to farmer-producer companies during the interaction programme.
An interaction programme on organic and natural farming was held today at the farmers’ training hall of Agriculture Department, Sanjenthong under the aegis of Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA) and Akashvani Imphal.
Speaking at the interaction programme, K Debadutta claimed that the State’s economy will grow considerably if people/farmers shift to extensive organic farming.
MOMA had a very hard time convincing farmers to take up organic farming when it first introduced the practice of organic farming in the State in 2015-16.
At the time of introducing organic farming, only 385 farmers were registered for organic farming but today their number has multiplied to over 46,000, he said.
Vegetables and fruits like ginger, turmeric, lemon, orange, U-Morok etc which are cultivated by following organic methods are also cultivated in other States but Chak-hao is unique to Manipur.
There was no buyer for Chak-hao when it was first cultivated organically. Its demand rose steadily after its unique properties and nutrients were highlighted repeatedly at several fairs, the Horticulture and Soil Conservation Director said.
Many people are now offering to buy Chak-hao provided it is packaged properly and its nutrients are displayed on the packages, he said.
He then called upon farmers to produce fruits and vegetables which are unique to the State in organic manner. This will help in augmenting the farmers’ income considerably, he added.
With MOMA acting as a facilitator, 16 farmer-producer companies of the State signed a contract with Odisha-based Konkuwan Herbs on farming Chia in Manipur.
The two sides also signed a buy back agreement of Chia seeds produced by the 16 companies. If there are robust demands and crops produced by farmers can be marketed properly, the sweat and toil of farmers will pay rich dividends, Debadutta said.
An outlet of Manipur’s organic produces has been already opened at Delhi and a similar outlet would be opened soon at Dubai, he said. Vermicompost packets as well as Chia seeds were also distributed to farmer-producer companies during the interaction programme.