Newmai News Network Imphal |October 16 The Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department, Government of Manipur achieved yet another milestone today as the second organic outlet in the State was inaugurated at the Khuman Lampak, Apex Society Complex, opposite Manipur Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT), Chingmeirong in Imphal. The organic outlet is initiated by the Ukhrul District Tribal Development Committee (UDTDC) under the guidance and supervision of Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA), Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department, Government of Manipur. MOMA is the nodal agency for the implementation of the central scheme Mission Organic Chain Development for North East Region (MOCD-NER), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Speaking as the chief guest of the inaugural function, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister, Thounaojam Shyamkumar raised concern over the increase in number of health issues. Hoping that the consumption of organic produces will reduce many of the health problems, he said that the Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department is targeting to avail the organic produces/products of farmers from various far flung areas in the market to achieve organic State status. The Minister further announced that the State Government is ready to expand the cultivation area with increase in demand for organic produces. He also said that he is immensely proud of his department as the first organic outlet in the State at Sanjenthong was opened last year before the Manipur Sangai Festival, which is also the first of its kind in the entire North East region. Appealing to the people to buy organically certified produces/products from the organic outlet, he said consumption of organic produces will help in maintaining/improving healthy lifestyle and also help the organic farmers to generate income. He also urged the Ukhrul District Tribal Development Committee to sell organic produces with sincerity to make Manipur a healthy state. K. Debdutta Sharma, Project Director, MOMA said that there were already 12,500 registered organic farmers across the state out of which 5,000 organic farmers including 500 from Ukhrul district are in the second year stage awaiting organic certification. Terming the opening of the second organic outlet as a landmark achievement, he informed that opening up of another organic outlet is in the pipeline at Sanjenthong under the State Agriculture Department. Stating that the consumers today are very health conscious, he said that the organic outlet is targeting those who are highly conscious of a healthy lifestyle. He advised the UDTDC to maintain all the parameters laid down by the department. He asked the UDTDC to maintain record book to identify and verify the origin of the organic produces/products. JC Ramthanga, Principal Secretary (Horticulture and Soil Conservation); K. Kipgen, Director, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department; Yuman Ranjit Singh, Chairman, Apex Cooperative Society; officials of Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department; farmers from Ukhrul; Bee Keeping team from Ningthi village, Kamjong district along with UDTDC members.
