IMPHAL, July 14: The “6th State Level Pineapple Fair Cum Youth Festival 2013” organised by the Development Organisation Andro Kendra (DOAK) concluded today at the Thambalnu Market Complex, Poiroupat Lamkhai, Andro A/C.
K Abungcha, secretary DOAK in the key note address of the function said that the festival is being organised to encourage the farmers to produce more so as to improve their socio-economic status.
He said, there is no big enough market to accommodate all of the pineapple fruits produced in the state and considering the difficulties of the farmers to sell off their produce, the festival has been organized for the sixth consecutive year.
He said the farmers were able to produce more than the targeted 5000 quintal and had produced 5500 to 6000 quintal with 3700 litres of juice.
Local MLA, Thounaojam Shyamkumar, said the festival is to promote and encourage a strict work culture amongst the farmers.
Assuring that the festival will grow with each passing year, he said, he will see to it that construction of roads and government schools in the area are taken up; for which he had already talked to both the state Chief Minister and the Education Minister for which they have already assured action, he added.
Speaking at the function as chief guest AK Mirabai, Minister, Social Welfare and Co-operation lauding DOAK for organising pineapple festival under the aegis of Thounaojam Shyamkumar, MLA, Andro AC.
She said she will further urged all concern to set up cold storage facilities in all districts of the state.
In her presidential speech Nemcha Kipgen, Kangpokpi AC said such festivals are beneficial for the state, helping them to improve their economic well-being.
The pineapple of the state is in high demand in other states which has unique taste as compared to other pineapple varieties found in the country, she said.
The pineapple festival will enhance the productivity of pineapples and if the productivity increases, it will be easier to sell pineapples outside the state and ultimately, the economic will improve in the state, the Kangpokpi MLA said.
She further said that she will urge the government to promote the pineapple festival, and further expressed the need to spread the festival and make it cover a larger area.