Minister Shyamkumar at the organic outlet after its inauguration on November 20.
Newmai News Network
Imphal | November 20
An organic outlet under Mission Organic Chain Development for North East Region (MOVCDNER) scheme was inaugurated in Imphal today.
Manipur Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar inaugurated the outlet at the Directorate of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Sajenthong, organised by the Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA).
The shop is fully air conditioned and will remain open from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm daily.
Speaking after the inauguration, Minister Th. Shyamkumar said the organic outlet will help in promoting a healthy lifestyle among the citizens. Stating the need for promoting organic farmers, he advised the department to conduct awareness and training programmes for the farmers.
Shyamkumar promising all help advised the department to plan for home delivery service and reach out to buyers by opening website. He urged the department officials to welcome and cooperate with the farmers with their queries and called upon citizens of the State to encourage the organic farmers of the State by buying organic produces/products.
Expressing concern over the increase in the number of private hospitals in the State, he said it shows the worsening health condition of the people. We need to concentrate on the food produces and adopt organic cultivation, he added.
Also speaking on the occasion, Dr. Suhel Akhtar, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary (Agriculture) said the mission cannot go forward unless there is huge demand for the organic produces/ products and there is need to find ways to increase the yield. The farmers of Sikkim which is the first organic state of the country, he said, are facing problem as the input cost is more compared to the selling cost.
Dr. Suhel Akhtar said educating people is necessary regarding the benefits of the organic products, how the farmers can go about it and how the reduction in productivity can be compensated. Unless we do these three things probably we will not succeed, he said.
He further spoke about the requirements of the role of extension, training, education and other activities and advised the officials of the Horticulture and the Agriculture to focus on the issues. He said, unless there is huge demand, the organic farmers will not be motivated and their income will not be increased.
The organic outlet will have two categories of products, fresh and processed/ value added vegetables, fruits, and spices, among others produced by identified/registered farmers of the State. At present 5,000 organic farmers are registered under MOMA.
