Manipur pineapple festival kicks off

Imphal: The 15th edition State Level Pineapple Festival cum Sellers and Buyers Meet and Youth Festival at Thambalnu market complex, Poiroupat Lamkhai in Imphal East District on Friday.

Horticulture and soil conservation minister Letpao Haokip inaugurated the festival that would continue till July 5.

Letpao said Andro produces is the highest yield of horticultural products in the state. Horticulture department has been dependent on the agriculture department and if the horticultural products are increased then the department can support the agriculture department. “Manipur is a land where any type of crops can be cultivated having its own flavour compared to other parts of the globe.”

Stating that the farmers have faced many difficulties regarding marketing of the products, he said the government had made arrangements to lower the risks of marketing the crops. The farmers need not worry about the issue and thus can produce the crops without any fear. The minister also appealed to the farmers to focus on cultivating high value plants which have high demand in the market.

He said crops having anti-oxidants qualities and spices with distinctive flavors can be cultivated in hilly areas instead of cultivating those plants grown annually. Horticulture department will provide support in cultivating such crops and plants through training and other related activities to the farmers, he added. He also urged the public to treat the farmers equally as they are the ones helping all to survive.

MLA Th. Shyamkumar said the farmers should be respected and co-operation should be given to them to improve the yield of crops in the state. He appealed to the locals of Andro to show their best hospitability to the visitors during the five-day long festival.

The festival was organised by the Development Organization Andro Kendra in collaboration with the horticulture and soil conservation department under the aegis of Eastern Border Area Development Authority and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) sponsored by North Eastern Council Government of India.