Shyamkumar declares to organise Lemon festival at state level

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, August 25, 2018: Horticulture and soil conservation minister Th. Shyamkumar yesterday announced that the district level Kachai Lemon Festival will be held at the state level from the next year. He made the announcement while inaugurating the rural market shed constructed under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) scheme at Kachai, Ukhrul district.

Addressing the villagers, the minister appealed to the villagers of Kachai to produce more lemons. He said the lemons from the place are different in taste which is truly a gift of God to the villagers. He said the demand for pack house for storing horticulture produces will be included in the program for the year 2019 – 2020. The programs under forestry will be included this year after consultation with the department officers, he added.

Speaking on the bad road condition, he assured to the Kachai villagers that the matter will be discussed with the chief minister and his cabinet. On behalf of the state government he appealed to the villagers to have patience and faith in the government and said that the government is fully committed to work for the welfare of the people.

Regarding the demand for the aggregation unit, he said his department will give Rs 11.25 lakh for the construction of such unit in the Kachai village. He advised the villagers to use remaining fund for construction of toilet in the suitable area. He also announced that Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA) will provide pest and disease management materials to around 500 farmers of the surrounding areas including 200 farmers of Kachai.

The minister handed over a cheque of Rs 6.45 lakh to village headman from the environment department for the construction of water body. For other requirements like construction of women shed, he said he is ready to help the villagers. Lauding the construction committee of the rural market shed, he said it is the best rural market shed built under the MIDH scheme.

Kirankumar Singh, DO Ukhrul, horticulture and soil conservation department said rural market was constructed under MIDH program for the year 2017 – 2018 and he hoped that it will help the villagers to sell their produces and help in increasing their income. He said the construction work began onJuly 23and it was finished on August 23.

He said the production of the Kachai lemon is declining due to some infection which is alarming. Stating that is need for producing lemons using grafting technique, he informed that the department is planning to produce grafted lemons in Kachai from January next year after successful production in a farm in Mahadev area. He also informed that citrus fruit fair will be held in December.