Horti development in hills stressed
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 15 2011: A one-day Horticulture training programme on cultivation of Banana and Turmeric was organised jointly by Horticulture Department and National Identity Protection Committee (NIPCO) at Khoirentak Khuman, Churachandpur district today.

Delivering the key note address, secretary general of NIPCO O Premjit reiterated that NIPCO has been trying to promote mutual harmony among all the communities living in Manipur.

As slogan shouting for love and unity is not enough, we have to understand the importance of mutual co-operation with regard to production of food for sustenance as well.

The training programme has been organised keeping in mind this fact.

He further pointed out that there is the need for awareness on wide spread cultivation of Horticultural products in the hill areas of Manipur and how the plants would be protected from pests for increasing production.

NIPCO president L Khupler Kom, Kh Naba of Horticulture Department and secretary of Kom Cultural Research Institute, Khoirentak Khuman Guru Achon Kom were respectively chief guest, president and guest of honour of the inaugural function of the training programme.

In his address, Khupler Kom observed that there is no adequate food production in the hill areas of Manipur.

Apart from some vegetables and fruits which are normally available, there has no other production.

This may be due to lack of awareness and training among the people.

It is unfortunate that the seeds that the local MLAs have taken from the Department have not reached the targeted people.

If the seeds have been actually distributed then the MLAs should also enlighten the people on the method of cultivation.

But no such facilities have been ensure, thereby depriving the rights of the people, Khupler said.

Instead of handing over the seeds to MLAs for distribution, it would be advisable for the officials of the Department to provide the same to the people directly, he suggested, adding that NIPCO would continue to help the people for promotion of peace and harmony among them.

Among the resource persons who conducted the training programme, Subject Matter Specialist on Banana and Turmeric Cultivation of KVK Wangbal Kh Premlata Devi and Programme Co-ordinator in-charge of Inspect, Pests and Disease Management of KVK Wangbal Dr M Thoithoi Singh enlightened the participants on various aspects of cultivating Banana and Tumeric.

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