MANIPUR: HORTICULTURE MINISTER INAUGURATES PINEAPPLE AGGREGATION UNIT

12 july 2018: Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Shri Thounaojam Shyamkumar today inaugurated an aggregation unit for pineapple at Angtha village, Andro constructed at the cost of Rs 11.25 lakh under the Mission Organic Chain Development for North East Region (MOCD-NER), Ministry of Agriculture.

Speaking as the chief guest of the function, Minister Th. Shyamkumar said the aggregation unit will help the pineapple farmers in solving the storage issue and provide a shelter during extreme weather conditions. Stating that the unit will benefit the pineapple farmers especially the women who are tirelessly working in the field, he said the diligent officials of the department are working hard with the mission to make Manipur as an organic State.

Appreciating the Horticulture Department including the officials working under the Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA), he said the department officials are working relentlessly in the field in close associations with the farmers across the districts. He further advised the officials of his department to continue their work for the welfare of the farmers.

Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister assured that developmental works will be taken in all the districts without any prejudice. He concluded his speech by advising everyone not to keep any work pending as it hampers in the progress of the State.

Addressing the gathering, Shri K. Debadutta Sharma, Project Director, MOMA said 400 pineapple farmers are covered under the areas of Thayong, Angtha, Andro and part of Thoubal in the ongoing first phase of the scheme.

He announced that a total of 7,500 farmers of the State will be covered in the 2nd phase, for which the Ministry has given a green signal. Additional 250 pineapple farmers will be covered for the areas of Thayong, Angtha, Andro and part of Thoubal. Altogether 650 pineapple farmers will be covered in the region in the 2nd phase of the scheme, he added.

K. Debadutta Sharma said the aggregation unit is constructed with the aim to provide storage of the produces (pineapple) after which it can be taken to the processing unit thus reducing the burden on the farmers. He appealed to the farmers and all the officials to work together as a cohesive unit so that more such projects/schemes can be taken up by the department.

Attending the function were officials and staff of Horticulture and Soil Conservation and locals of the area.