First quality analysis lab at ICAR

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, July 30, 2019: For the first time a quality analysis laboratory has been installed at Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) complex for North East Hill (NEH) Region, Manipur centre.

Horticulture and soil conservation minister Th. Shyamkumar on Tuesday inaugurated ICAR NEH Quality Analysis Laboratory, Manipur at the Lamphelpat centre in Imphal West.

The laboratory was the first of its kind of laboratory, especially under the public sector, which is established in the entire North East region. It was funded by the department of horticulture and soil conservation under the centrally sponsored scheme, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture.

Shyamkumar said the laboratory will play an important role in quality analysis in Manipur and in the entire North East region by helping in checking the quality of food products.

He said less production of the yongchak (tree beans) due to insect attack has resulted in importing the food item from the neighbouring country. To solve the problem the forest department took an initiative and the scientists of the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun have been successful in finding the cause and solution to the problem, he added.

The minister appealed to the people to avail the solution prepared by the forest department scientists to solve the issue of insect attack on the yongchak trees. He said the indigenous trees like yongchak should be preserved as it is one of the valuable food items in Manipuri cuisine.

He lauded the officials of ICAR for completing the laboratory in short period of time and appealed to the officials of ICAR to spread awareness to the farmers regarding latest farming technologies for better yield of the crops.

Among other functions more than 100 quality parameters can be analysed in the laboratory. The quality analysis laboratory which has obtained the highest ISO certification from UK, has already applied to the Food Safety Authority of India for notifying the laboratory as the certified lab in Manipur.

Interested individuals can also avail the opportunity to undergo training programme on food quality analysis at the laboratory.

Nominal charges are kept for the farmers and entrepreneurs which ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 1000.

It is believed that the laboratory will play a crucial role in exporting organic products from the State and also check the quality of the imported food products.