Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 13 2010:
Encouraging the Pineapple cultivators in the State, the 6th State level Pineapple Fair, 2010 cum youth festival has begun from today at Thambalnu Market complex in Andro Assembly Constituency of Imphal East district.
The five-day long Pineapple fair cum youth festival is being organised under the aegis of Development Organisation, Andro Kendra with the stated objective of increasing Pineapple production in the State.
In all 140 Pineapple cultivators are participating in the fair which has attracted visitors from different parts of the State.
The inaugural function of the fair was attended by MLA of Khurai Assembly Constituency Dr Ng Bijoy Singh as chief guest and MLA of Oinam Assembly Constituency Dr I Ibohalbi Singh as president.
Dean of College of Agriculture Dr Iboton Singh, Director in-charge of Technology Mission Cell of Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation Kh Ratankumar Singh and Babita Devi, wife of MLA of Andro Assembly Constituency Th Shyamkumar were also present at the occasion as guests of honour.
On the sidelines of the function, a primary processing unit constructed at Thambalnu Market complex with funding from Technology Mission Cell of Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation was also inaugurated.
Delivering the key note address, president of Development Organisation, Andro Kendra Md Fakaruddin explained that the Pineapple fair is being organised as an annual event to popularise cultivation of pineapples among the farmers as part of a road map for development of Andro Assembly Constituency and bring it at par with rest of the other Constituencies in the State.
He also highlighted the problem of road transport and communication as well as lack of other necessary infrastructures being faced by the Pineapple cultivators.
In his address as chief guest of the function, MLA Ng Bijoy Singh stressed on the need for formulating a market policy in the State to enable marketing of products from here to different parts of the country and abroad.
In his presidential address, MLA Dr I Ibohalbi observed that the numerous problems setting Manipur today is due to increase in the number of people who want easy life and easy money.
There is the need for promotion of work culture among the people of the State, he added.
Cultural programmes were also presented to mark the inaugural function.
Crop competition among the Pineapple farmers, seminars, symposium, etc are some of the scheduled highlights of the five-day long Pineapple fair.