Amidst plenty, Jessami longs for own market
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Nomita Khongbantabam
Imphal, August 27 2012:
Jessami is known for fruit production like Orange, Lemon, Mango, Pineapple, Pomegranate and Papaya.
Cauliflowers, beans, peas, arum and Pumkins are other major vegetable crops ... .
Even though they get more profits from selling their products at the main markets of Manipur and Nagaland, people of Jessami, especially the women folks, long for a market place of their own where they can sell their products at their own conveniences.
Situated in Ukhrul district along the border of Manipur and Nagaland, Jessami villagers have been carrying on with the legacy of exporting their vegetables and fruits products to various markets of Manipur and Nagaland to earn their livelihood.
Even though yield of tree-beans (Yongchank) in other parts of Manipur has declined dramatically over the years, Jessami villagers are finding the trade on this particular Manipuri delicacy a major profitable business venture.
There is not a single household in Jessami which does not grow tree-beans plant.
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There are many groves in Jessami having more than 500 tree-bean plants, thus generating handsome income for the villagers.
Besides, Jessami is known for fruit production like Orange, Lemon, Mango, Pineapple, Pomegranate and Papaya.
Cauliflowers, beans, peas, arum and Pumkins are other major vegetable crops produced in Jessami.
Moreover, Nungaa, a type of fish found in the rocky streams of the hills and is known for its palate tickling taste, is another valuable product from Jessami to the people of Manipur.
Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, Village Chief of Jessami Ayate Wazah informed that most of the villagers either go to Imphal or cross over the border into Nagaland to sell their products.
Apart from many Meeteis from Imphal, people from Nagaland also come to Jessami to buy the products.
However, as there is no proper market place, villagers are finding it difficult to carry on with their trade.
Drawing the attention of the state government, the Village Chief appealed for construction of a market shed at Jessami to enhance the trading activities of the villagers.