Imphal, July 7 (NNN): The 9th State level Pineapple Fair cum Seller & Buyer Meet and Youth Festival 2016 kicked-off yesterday with the primary objective to promote pineapple growers of Andro region in Imphal East under the initiative of Development Organisation Andro Kendra.
The first-ever Pineapple Festival was celebrated at Andro in 2008, where large quantity of the spiky but juicy fruit is annually produced. The First Manipur Pineapple Fair cum Youth Festival was organised with the effort of Andro Kendra Development Committee was held at Thambalnu Market of Andro.
Chief Minister of Manipur, Okram Ibobi Singh, who was the chief guest, opened the five-day long festival. He urged upon the state agrarian section to become more industrious by striving to make the state prosperous with more crop produces.
“Manipur is suitable for horticultural products which are widely known to the outside world because of their quality and flavours. Our pineapple is very popular,” Ibobi said.
Imphal East is the largest producer of pineapples among all the districts of the state .Growing pineapples is a big means of income for the people of Ngarian, Andro and its surrounding areas. Encouraging the horticulturists and facilitating market for their products is the main objective of the festival.
He stated that his government was taking up many initiatives through the Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department for promotion of horticultural produces and their marketing.
“Towards this end, we’re organising festivals of such kind. I appeal to all farmers to be diligent and hard working for more development,” he said.
Imphal East is the largest producer of pineapples among all the districts of the state .Growing pineapples is a big means of income for the people of Ngarian, Andro and its surrounding areas. Encouraging the horticulturists and facilitating market for their products is the main objective of the festival.
The Kew variety of pineapple is found in almost the whole of Manipur. The Kew variety of pineapple is harvested from July till September. On the other hand, the Queen variety of pineapple is mostly found in Thoubal district.
