Newmai News Network Imphal | August 26 Pineapple farmers showcased their products today at the 10th State Level Manipur Pineapple Festival, 2017 at Khousabung village of Churachandpur district located some 45 km south of Imphal. Visitors coming from various places of the state were seen thronging stalls while buying pineapples of different varieties at the festival venue. For the pineapple farming community, the festival meant a lot as they get opportunity for wider exposure of their products. The pineapple cultivators of Khousabung and adjoining villages have been cultivating pineapple as a major source of income since six decades. The Kew variety of pineapple is abundantly cultivated by the farmers. Meanwhile, attending the inaugural event of the festival, Manipur Art and Culture Minister L Jayanta Kumar Singh has said that the state is rich in resources of different kind. Such festivals with competitive spirit will enhance the performance of the farmers at different levels, he said calling for co- operation and mutual understanding should be developed among the farmers in order to enable them to choose their suitable activities. Jayanta Kumar also called for farmers' unity and urged them to produce at large scale which may lead to expansion of trade. Regarding preservation of horticulture products, he maintained that the Government is planning to set up cold storage facilities at different places where there is necessity of such facilities. He also noted that the farmers need to increase the production comparatively so that different companies and firms will be approaching for marketing of their products. The Minister also distributed cash prizes to the pineapple farmers who secure first, second and third positions respectively. A Souvenir of the festival was also released. The morning session of the festival was also attended by T Thangzalam Haokip chairman HAC as functional president, Vungzagin Valte Chairman MTDC as Guest of Honour and Shyamlal Poonia, IAS DC Churachandpur as special guest.
