IMPHAL May 25: Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam inaugurated a week-long 4th State Level Watermelon Festival being organized by Nahakpam Foundation for Development (NFD) at GM Hall today.
Other guests of the inaugural function included Prof J M Laishram and Dr Chinglen Meisnam.
The festival is being held with the sole objective of promoting the economic benefits of farming water melon. A total of 12 stalls are participating in the festival.
Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Gaikhangam who also holds the portfolio of Home asserted that the festival is meant for encouraging both the growers and buyers of watermelon which is a potential cash crop.
He called upon the growers of watermelon to accelerate its production so as to boost economy of the state.
Admitting the grievances about the present lack of processing units and market linkage of watermelon in the state, the Dy CM said that feasibility to provide facilities for extracting juice will soon be discussed with the concerned officials.
For the time being, farmers should be mindful that diminishing productivity will contradict the intention of the government towards enhancement of watermelon production, he said.
He appealed to the concerned rich philanthropies to invest and support the endeavours of local farmers in cash crops like watermelon.
The Dy CM further encouraged farming diverse crops and improving work culture towards a self reliant state.
Shanta Nahakpam of NFD in his keynote address stated that farmers have been growing watermelon in the state since the mid 1970s but it was only after the massive import from Burma since 2000 that farmers realize the economic potential of this cash crop.
Regarding the government support, he said that seeds for 300 to 400 acres are availed from the department and its products are exhibited in the festival.
There is a need for more support to expand the watermelon economy with value addition. The government can support by facilitating food processing and encouraging the farmers with irrigation facilities. Several watermelon farmers are dejected due to the lack of government support which further dims their economic prospects despite the high yield, he said.
He expressed hope that the government will extend all possible help in turning the farming of watermelon into an industry and expand the benefits for the watermelon farmers.