Report released : 'One District, One Crop: A Study of Crop Value Chains in Manipur'

11th August 2022

Report released : 'One District, One Crop: A Study of Crop Value Chains in Manipur'

Agriculture Minister releases a detailed report entitled, “One District, One Crop: A Study of Crop Value Chains in Manipur”

Earlier today, Shri Th. Biswajit Singh, Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Government of Manipur, released a report entitled, “One District, One Crop: A Study of Crop Value Chains in Manipur”. The report is based on work carried out by the MaolKeki Foundation with support from NABARD's Department of Economic Analysis & Research.

During the release, the minister said, “This study of crop value chains carried out over an extended period exploring how farmers could improve productivity and embark on an entrepreneurship journey that will help to meet the Prime Minister’s goal to double farmers’ income is highly commendable and I truly appreciate it as the Minister of Agriculture.”

The minister further added, “supporting farmers to also utilize whatever limited water they have with modern irrigation solutions and other technologies to address production and market issues are crucial topics for the agriculture department and I assure my full support.”

Adding further, Dr. KJS Satyasai, Chief General Manager and former Manipur General Manager of NABARD, a major funder of the study said, “Manipur is rich in natural resources and innovative people suitable for horticulture value chains specific to each district. The purpose of this study is to give an idea to policy makers where to invest and how much. Hope this study is used by the stakeholders concerned.”

MaolKeki Foundation Trustee, Dr. Shachi Gurumayum, who released the report alongside the Minister and Ms. Nirupa Sanjenbam, Project Coordinator, highlighted that the detailed 150-page report was a result of extensive field-based research carried out by a team of Associates in 2021. The team collected over 300,000 data points from a total of nine districts with complete data sets from seven districts. Dr. Shachi thanked all the participants in the study and the many advisors and stakeholders without whose support such an extensive work would not have been possible.

Key findings of the study confirmed that horticultural crop production is a rapidly evolving sector in Manipur. The agricultural value chain in the state is still at a nascent stage providing much room for developing and shaping the sector to drive economic growth in the state. Covid played a detrimental role across the value chains affecting the farmers and traders most while consumers struggled with lack of availability and high prices of produce. There is limited processing of horticultural crops thus highlighting another opportunity for development.

Findings vary by district however major challenges highlighted include knowledge gap in production, unavailability of irrigation facilities, lack of storage and transport infrastructure, limited marketing & sales capability, and financing with very limited use of financial institutions.

Limited hard copies of the report will be distributed to key stakeholders while an electronic copy of the report will be released soon via the MaolKeki Foundation online platforms as well as other channels for all interested parties to download.

About MaolKeki Foundation

MaolKeki Foundation is a pioneering organization established with the purpose of catalysing positive development in Manipur primarily in the areas of agriculture, education and healthcare. MaolKeki Foundation is registered under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, and more information can be found at http://www.maolkekifoundation.org.

MaolKeki Foundation
Lairik Yengbam Makha Leikai
Imphal, 795 010
Manipur, INDIA
www.maolkekifoundation.org