Pineapple festival begins
Imphal: Chief Minister N. Biren Singh assured that the State Government is ready to provide all possible support to farmers to enhance production.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the closing function of the five-day long Festival of Pineapple and Summer Fruits at Sangaithel Park in Imphal West District today.
He said that the State is still largely dependent on the products and commodities imported from outside. As such, there is need for a well-planned systematic approach to increase production of the state, he observed.
Stating that the State Government is now focussing on assisting farmers and entrepreneurs in this regard, he informed that educated youths and hardworking farmers are being provided soft loans and help through StartUp Manipur.
Saying that mulch plastic is required in large scale in modern farming, the Chief Minister said that the Government would provide it at subsidised rates at the earliest. He also observed that farmers should put in concerted effort in association with Government officials and experts to boost production so that State’s products can be exported as value-added items.
Maintaining that the Government has started taking up steps to enhance production, Manipur Livelihood Mission has been introduced to increase fish production. On the other hand, fish feed production unit has been set up at Lamphelpat, and the unit is likely to make available fish feed in the market soon. The State Government had also started exporting organic ginger produced in Pherzawl district to other States from last year, he added.
To fulfil the necessity of proper storage facility of horticulture and agriculture produces in the State, cold storages would be set up at five different places soon, the Chief Minister informed. (UNI)