Horticultural production to be encouraged in Manipur

Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department director K. Kipgen said the Indian state of Manipur at this time has a potential area of 270,000 hectares of land for cultivation of horticultural products. Kipgen added that 20 million rupees (250,000 euros) has been allocated to the Indian Council for Agricultural Research in Imphal, for quality lab analysis to study/test horticultural products.

Organic products are cultivated by farmers under the central scheme 'Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North Eastern Region'.

Uniindia.com explains how the scheme is aimed at promotion and production of certified organic commodities, focusing on export oriented crops – oranges from Tamenglong, lemons from Kachai (Ukhrul), pineapple, king chilli, ginger, turmeric as horti crops and chakhao (black aromatic rice) as an agri crop. The scheme covers a total area of 5,000 hectares: 2,000 hectares allotted to agri crops and 3,000 hectares to horti crops.

He further said the department is working on potato microtuber production at the Mao Potato Farm, in Senapati district.