Seri Sector calls for Government attention
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: November 17, 2014 -

Without any production and employment generation to the people, the development of a state will always remain a far cry.

Construction of buildings, roads and bridges, recruitment in service sectors particularly of security persons etc. are merely helping in the growth of the state’s economy indirectly.

In order to boost the economy of the state, we need to explore more avenues of productivity and employment generation for the youths particularly in the primary sector.

Agriculture, sericulture, horticulture, pisciculture, veterinary and animal husbandry, dairying etc. are areas which have the potential for bringing economic growth directly in the long run.

Cultivation of various fruits such as orange, lemon and pineapple has the highest potential of economic growth among the people of hill districts, while Pisciculture (Fish Farming) and cattle rearing also draw the energetic people towards a high earning avenue.

Likewise, Sericulture is adapted to the people of Jiribam sub division as well. However, pathetically there has been lack of government encouragement in these sectors.

Most important sectors like the Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, and Veterinary are considered less important in Manipur.

While distributing ‘Ministerial portfolios’ to elected MLAs, most enthusiastic MLAs prefer to handle portfolios such as Works, Home, Finance, Social Welfare, Health, etc.

What is heartening in Manipur is that the government seems to have neglected the production sectors while encouraging physical infrastructure development works.

The news that Jiribam sericulture office does not have enough space for keeping the Eri and Muga silks is a serious matter, because the Jiribam Sericulture Office has been well known for producing silk in the State. Now the office has reportedly been converted into an egg preparation hall.

The worms being kept in the Sericulture office are of Muga and Eri silks. The Muga worms are bought from farmers at Rs 1.50 apiece and the Eri worms at Rs 90 a kilo.

There are around 9000 Muga silk worms which are being kept for grainage and more than 350 Kgs of Eri silk worms being stored at the same place as there is inadequate space for storing them separately.

Concerned authorities have been providing a means of livelihood to several households by successfully undertaking various Eri and Muga silk cultivation projects in the State.

However, the poor infrastructure of the sericulture office in Jiribam subdivision poses a threat to the very survival of these projects.

According to an official looking after the sericulture office in Jiribam, there are more than 300 farmers who are cultivating Muga and Eri silks.

The total area of the Sericulture office was earlier 13 acres, but now it has been reduced to just about three acres after the remaining lands were claimed for the construction of a Sports Complex and PHED office.

In view of the dire need for enlivening production enterprises in economically poor state of Manipur, the government particularly the Sericulture department must pay special attention to sericulture development in Jiribam sub division.

We need to learn lessons from the erstwhile Spinning Mill at Loitang Khunou, Sugar Mill at Khansari, Hundung Cement Factory etc. which died immaturely due to government negligence.