IMPHAL, April 20: The production of various varieties of sericulture cocoons has seen an increase which is a sign of farmers taking interest in sericulture, said Sericulture minister Govindas Konthoujam today.
Addressing the inaugural of a four-day long Cocoon Buyers and Sellers Meet, 2015 at the Project Management Complex Sangaipat, the minister said farmers are the most important section of the society in the country.
He said the farmers need to be aware of the scientific methods in order to improve their yield.
The Sericulture department will initiate extensive farmers`™ training soon, he said adding that the training will aim at improving the quality of cocoon production in the State.
He said he was himself ready with department officials including the principal secretary, director to ensure transparency and accountability in projects and programmes undertaken by the department.
The minister also exuded confidence that people will be able to see a lot of positive changes in sericulture in the State soon.
Promising that there will be no middle men between the government and the farmers in provision of schemes and other items, he said any farmer can now directly approach the director, principal secretary or the concern minister himself if the farmers have any complaints against the officials of the department.
He said the only demand of the farmers for long have been proper implementation of schemes in the State.
The farmers, he said have to play vital roles in the success of sericulture projects.
The minister also announced a reward of Rs 5000 as incentive for the best cocoon farmer.
Both the hills and the valley have the potential for good production of cocoon, he continued.
Sericulture director, Waikhom Ibohal said the meet was organised so as to provide a proper platform for the buyers and the sellers to meet.
This will enable the farmers and their potential clients to meet directly and do business upfront, he said.
During the past some years, cocoon production in the State has witness improvement. There has been increased in production in all districts, he said before adding that this has been possible only because of the efforts of the farmers.
The production of cocoon varieties like double hybrid, bi-volatile and leimaren have increased in all districts, he said.
The department was expecting around 400 kg production from the Imphal West farmers but the farmers managed to produce around 1400 kg, he said.
The director added that Imphal East district farmers have produced around 400 kgs which is also above their target while Thoubal farmers have produce around 300 kgs.
The plan was to conduct the meet in two phases `“ April 20 and 21 for the farmers from the valley districts and then for the hill districts later on April 24-25, however farmers from Senapati and Kangpokpi arrived today since their cocoon had all matured due to proper feeding.
This is a good sign, the director said.