Imphal, August 17 2009: Information Centre for Hill Areas, Manipur (ICHAM) has today laid the foundation stone of a market shed at Kampang Khullen in order to tap the potential of the agriculture and horticulture produces of Tengnoupal block in Chandel district.

The foundation laying ceremony was held in collaboration with the Eastern Maring Organisation (EMO), and village authorities of 16 villages.

The foundation for the market shed was laid by ICHAM president, N Rajendro (Boy).

Speaking on the occasion, president of ICHAM, Rajendro said the 16 villages of the area have the potential to produce 30 truck load of betel leaf in a month.

The area also produces 50-60 truck load of 'heiribop' (local fruit used as curry flavor) annually, 60 truck load of fermented bamboo shoots (soibum) monthly, apart from producing lemon and orange in large numbers.

He said due to lack of marketing venue and communication facility, the produces are wasted in raw.

He questioned why the agriculture and horticulture departments are not paying attention to it.

Boy said giving the farmers few potatoes and beans as assistance is shameful.

He observed that the people are used to using imported products instead of nurturing and promoting local products.

Authorities have prepared several schemes under the Special Plan Assistance only for their interest.

This has affected the economy of the people living in the interior areas.

ICHAM is projecting the construction of the market shed to tap the potential of the local resources of Tengnoupal area in consultation with EPO and village authorities, he said.

Antagonism springs up due to economic deprivation, Rajendro said while expressing his desire to make a peaceful land.

To draw communal line among the people of the state is detrimental.

The same is to be drawn with people outside the state, he said.

Rajendro lamented that villagers have also joined in several agitations by burning down vehicles, schools etc, but the villagers never made their voice heard over the government's failure to promote the local resources.

He said this is not the time to dig faults against each other when developed nations begin cultivating crops under water and wrestle for their shares in the space.

He eggs on to construct the market shed with up-to-date materials and even to construct godown there.

Saying that the body should be keep fit, the ICHAM president also handed over various sport materials to the villagers.

A senior citizen of the area, M Piya expressed appreciation to the initiatives of ICHAM in setting up a market shed, road connectivity and others.

He said the initiatives will go a long way in the promotion of hill-valley people unity as well as the welfare of the interior citizens of the state.

Speaking on the occasion, president of Rural Development Front (RDF), Wontimla said the name of the forest department is heard for collecting taxes on forest products.

But the name, 'agriculture' and 'horticulture' departments have been not heard even.

Wontimla also said the people can see for themselves the lemon and orange produces of the area.

But they rotted away in the absence of marketing venues and road communication facility.

Other speakers at the function included Th Thamsing, secretary of Tengnoupal Block Development Action Committee, president of Kuki Chiefs' Association, and EMO president M Abjiash.

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