Minister warns against excessive chemical use
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, October 16 2008:
On the occasion of the World Food Day, Y.Irabot, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Food and Civil Supply (FCS) has warned against the high use of chemicals in plants for higher productivity.
In this connection, he also pointed out that high level of chemicals in food products were one of the main reasons of sickness and illness amongst the people.
Organised by Department of Commerce and Industries, Government of Manipur in association with MSME Development Institute, Imphal, Manipur Food Industries Corporation Ltd (MFICL), Imphal, All Manipur Entrepreneurs' Association (AMEA), Takyepat and Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (I), Manipur Chapter, Imphal under the theme of "World Food Security: the Challenge of Climate Change and Bioenergy'', the two day workshop mainly deals on total quality management for food processing in the state.
Addressing the gathering in this regard the FCS Minister lamented that nature produced vegetables and fruits were hard to find these days due to the high use of chemicals to produce them.
"People have begun to use chemicals to produce a healthier and higher produce,'' said the Minister.
He also questioned the 'hygienic quality' of the foods sold in the market and warned that such chemical produced food could be harmful to the human body.
The Minister however informed of the installation of two laboratories in the state to preserve the quality of the food produced, one in Moreh and the other in the Imphal East district, Nilakuthi Food Park.
Due to adulteration and lack of laboratory to process food, the state government has to send food to Kolkata and Guwahati to process, added the Minister.
However, the Minister conveyed that the most element of food security in the State was to ensure adequate availability of quality food.
K Mangi, Director of Planning addressing the occasion lamented that despite the high product of 474.67 metric tonnes food grain in 200-07, the State had to import about another 20 percent from other States as the produced was not self sufficient.
He also pointed out that there was enough scope to increase the agricultural production by increasing the cropping intensity from the present level of 138.30 percent to 158 percent during the eleventh five year plan.
On the occasion of the world food day, the director of planning also informed the present 28.54 percent of Below Poverty Line (BPL) was targeted to be reduced at 23 percent by 2010-11 .
A two-day workshop on food safety, standards and quality assurance will also be held from October 19 and 20 at the Food Processing Hall, Porompat in Imphal East district where the World Food Day is being held.
The World Food Day was also observed under the aegis of Agriculture Department at its meeting hall today.