IMPHAL, November 18: To be ‘self-sustained’ is the basic principle of a developed nation and to do so we must learn to embrace diligent work culture, said Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who is also holding the Horticulture and Soil Conservation portfolio.
The Deputy Chief Minister stated this during a one day farmers’ training programme on Integrated Crop Production and Rejuvenation old Mandarin Orchard in Tamenglong district, held today at Hotel Imphal.
The training programme was attended by Md Hafizuddin Khan, deputy director (HQ) Department of Hort and Soil Conservation; joint director (H), N Tomba Singh district officer (Horti and Soil Conservation), Tamenglong; Dr RK Dilip Singh, Central Agricultural University (CAU) and Dr Ibohalbi Singh, CAU.
Further in his speech, Gaikhangam revealed that oranges were once grown as wild fruit in Tamenglong district.
Gradually, people have realized the nutritional and cash values of orange and today it is consider the main source of income for many households in the district which is also the largest orange producing district, he said.
He recalled that orange and tea leaves were once grown almost in every backyard but sadly, tea plantation failed to see the light of the day, he added.
“We must feel that if the production rate of crops is declining than we are heading towards the path of devastation”, opined Gaikhangam.
Claiming that Manipur’s greatest failure today is the lack of time management culture, he held that time, discipline and hard work are the most important factors for civilization.
Over 200 farmers from various parts of Tamenglong, Nungba sub-division, attended the training programme.
Dr RK Dilip Singh and Dr Ibohal Singh, CAU, attended as the resource persons during the technical session.
They gave their speeches on two topics including Orchad Floor Management in Mandarin Organe and Important Disease of Cirtus and Their Management under North-East Agro-Climate Condition.
A group discussion was also held at the end of the technical session.
