Imphal, November 25: On the importance of giving thrust to horticultural development for self-sufficiency in food production, the UNLF said 'our fruits, flowers (particularly Orchids), valuable medicinal and scented plants are a potential source of major income.

As such, horticulture could be developed as a major industry by utilising the latest knowledge of Biotechnology and this industry can earn huge foreign exchange much needed in our economic development,' the outfit said in its annual statement released on the occasion of the 43rd foundation day.

However, despite the necessity to be self-sufficient in food, the UNLF would discourage the extensive use of Chemical fertilisers in view of its long term harmful effects on the soil and human health besides being expensive, 'Therefore, our agricultural revolution should give emphasis on organic farming by encouraging massive production of compost and biofertilisers.

Thus, the role to be played by Agriculture and Horticulture in building an essential self-reliant economy is Manipur is fundamental.

'From this perspective, we heartily congratulate our agricultural scientists for their outstanding achievement and continuing efforts in developing high-yielding varieties of paddy with local taste producing more than 30 Phoupot in a quarter hectare.

We also highly appreciate the patriotic efforts of our Biotech scientists and entrepreneurs for discovering the immense possibilities in the field of horticulture', the UNLF said appealing to all concerned that from now on all these activities be co-ordinated and to play their due role in the movement to attain the goal of a self-reliant economy.

Along with extensive campaign in agricultural sector, the UNLF would also embark on a programme to encourage establishment of suitable Small & Medium Enterprise, now popularly known a SME, the annual statement said.

In the first phase of this programme, Food processing industry based on the State's raw materials of Agriculture and Horticulture, and other essential items which could compete with Indian (foreign) products in quality, shall be given priority.

The UNLF will extend full support to the Agro-Horticulture based projects and SMEs invested by ethnic Manipuris residing in foreign countries as well.

The UNLF will also support foreign companies willing to establish industries in Manipur as a component of economic development.

As incentives to the projects and industries, the UNLF will not levy any kind of 'tax' on them for fifteen years counted from the date of commissioning.

The justification for keeping the ceiling of fifteen years is that the enterprise will have earned profit if it could survive for fifteen years and that a small portion of their profit should be contributed to social welfare projects, the outfit explained.

The UNLF further observed that one of the basic infrastructures of economic development is power.

So, where from we get the necessary power in view of the zero-power situation in Manipur today ? The Indian Government sponsored Loktak Hydro Electric project in the valley of Manipur has completely destroyed one of the rare eco-system in the region.

This project, once boasted to light up a new era of economic development has actually blacked-out Manipur.

And now, another colonial project of India, the Tipaimukh Dam over the Barak river for a Hydro Electric Project in Churachandpur district of Manipur, is going to submerge Manipur under water.

The UNLF will not support projects primarily intended to exploit Manipur's natural resources for India's benefit and which will also destroy the eco-system.

The devastating effect of Tipaimukh Dam will be felt as far as Bangladesh.

Therefore, the UNLF strongly support the public movement against this project.

Should it become necessary, the UNLF will use all the means at its disposal to stop the project, the annual statement said.

For Manipur, the immediate step that is needed to be taken is to generate electricity for meeting the domestic requirement first and this could be done easily by taking up Mini and Micro-Hydel projects in the hill districts, it observed.

Another important factor which cannot be ignored in the economic development of Manipur is the traditional role of the Manipur women in running he kitchen economy, the UNLF said, adding that this 'our grassroots economy'.

The distinctive status and role of Manipuri women in national and social life is the embodiment of the responsibility they take in the kitchen economy.

Today also, this responsibility of our women remains an important element of our social economy.

Except for some families in the urban areas, 80 percent of our household kitchen economies are shouldered by women, Therefore, the UNLF will introduce a micro-credit system to support such women in their struggle for day-to-day existence.

The UNLF will endeavour to build the united strengthen of such micro credit network as the torchbearer of the new economic movement throughout Manipur and the guiding slogan of this campaign shall be 'One Home one Profession', it said.

Another important aspect to be taken care of in the campaign for essential self-reliant economy is the different but inseparably linked geographical reality of the Hills and the Valley.

As such, integration of the two geographical entities by utilising their available products from agriculture, horticulture, etc into an interdependent economy shall be a fundamental aspect of the economic campaign.

The activities of this integrated economy shall give rise to a new qualitatively different integrated life bound together by a shared bond of struggle for existence.

From this integrated life will emerge a collective cultural identity which in turn will built a wholesome national life.

This is the reality when the present antagonistic contradiction between the Hills and the Valley shall transform into that of a bomb of fraternal interdependence, the UNLF said.

When we achieve self-sufficiency in food, when every kitchen can feed the family two square meals a day, when our own products can replace Indian (foreign) products in some essential items, then our economy will have become essentially self-reliant.

This could be achieved only by the collective effort of the entire people.

Particularly, the local 'MLAs and Ministers' in the Indian dispensation should realise their responsibility in he campaign for essential self-reliance, even though within the bounds of the Indian Constitution.

They should take up all possible economic development projects in earnest.

Here, the UNLF would emphasise the imperative necessity for the revolutionary parties to work together.

As such, it is the firm stand of the UNLF to work together to the maximum possible, the annual statement said.

Observing that the campaign for building self reliant economy shall be, in a sense, a measure to face the challenges of globalisation being deliberately pushed through by India's 'Look East Policy', the outfit said that 'our economic foundation is laid to some extent along with the development of essential human resources which can absorb the impact of globalisation to some extent, the intended objective of undercutting our liberation struggle by the impact of globalisation sweeping away our society will not be possible to achieve.

However, the physical threat to our National identity is the proposed railroad connecting India with Myanmar through Manipur.

If specific measures to control the huge influx of Indians though this railroad are not taken, our distinctive identities will be simply erased in 30 years time.

This is actually a strategic component of India's 'Look East Policy'.

Therefore, our people should not make the suicidal mistake of ignoring the fact that the 'globalisation' through India's Look East Policy' is the life and death question of our nation', the UNLF added.

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