IMPHAL, April 25: The target set for cocoon production for Sericulture farmers in the State for this year has been met which is a sign of good progress, said Sericulture minister Govindas Konthoujam today.
The minister was speaking to media persons on the sidelines on the closing day of the Cocoon Buyers`™ and Sellers`™ Meet 2015 at the Project Management Complex Sangaipat today.
He said the Sericulture department is targeting employment generation by means of employment oriented schemes for the educated youth of the State who are flocking out of the State in search of employment.
The Sericulture department and the Veterinary and Animal Hunbandry Directorate are trying to bring back the educated youth of the State with promises of employment, under the initiative of the Chief Minister, he continued.
These initiatives will be undertaken under the funding of Special Plan Assistance and the North East Region Textile Promotion Scheme (NERTPS), he said adding that the increase in production of cocoon by the farmers this year as was witnessed during the meet is because of the government funding.
He said the production target was 8000-10000 kg and the farmers have already met the 8000 kg target, however, the demand inside the State alone is very high and our farmers are unable to meet the demand.
If the farmers can increase the cocoon farming by three-four times as of the present in a year, buyers from outside the State will also be called in the next edition of the Buyers- Sellers Meet, the minister said,
He further continued that even though the price of Rs 400 per kg of cocoon is high as compared to other States like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, etc, the quality of cocoon produce in the State is of international quality.
He said he along with the officials concern including the principal secretary and the director are all ready to help any farmer who has any problem.
He said the failure of the Manipur Sericulture Project Phase I has been a big lesson for the government.
Manipur is top among the States of the country in Taser Silk production, why can`™t it be the same for the other varieties like Muga, Iri and Mulberry, he said.
We have good potential and suitable soil for sericulture purpose and our Manipuri women are traditionally accustomed with the work of Sericulture, he said.
According to Sericulture director, Waikhom Ibohal, altogether 376 farmers participated in the four-day long meet and had produced 6859 kg of cocoon.
He said farmers from all districts except for Tamenglong participated in the meet with 143 farmers from Imphal East who produced 2860 kg of cocoon with a Shell Ration of 17-28 percent, 40 farmers from Imphal West who produced 1600 kgs with SR of 18.3 to 26.5 percent, 128 farmers from Thoubal who produced 1140 Kg with SR 19.3-27 percent, 47 farmers from Bishnupur with 742 Kg production and SR of 13.3-24.6 percent, five farmers from Kangpokpi who produced 120 kg with SR of 22.7 percent, six farmers from Churachandpur who produced 242 Kg with SR of 19.3-25.8 percent, four farmers from Senapati who produced 125 Kg with SR of 19.8 percent and three farmers from Chandel with 30 Kg production and SR of 20.3 percent.