IMPHAL, February 2: An extension Centre of the Fragrance & Flavour Development Centre (FFDC) would be established in Manipur, announced Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Giriraj Singh at Utlou Nambol today.
Speaking to media persons on the sideline of his visit to KVK Utlou Nambol, the MoS who is on the second day of his three day visit to the State said the extension counter will aim at diversification of crops and will soon be set up at the Nillakuthi Food Park.
Giriraj inspected the various programme taken up for training of farmers at the KVK Utlou and said the opening of the extension counter will benefit the farmers immensely by helping them to cultivate various crops in their fields.
Manipur is known to be the centre of handloom and its product, he said, adding further that in the agricultural sector, Manipur has also potential in the live stock sector.
Stressing on the decision of the Centre to set up the extension counter, he added production of only food grains will not help in improving the economy of the farmers.
The government has a strong believe that taking up programmes for aromatic herbs cultivation and live-stock rearing in addition to the food grain production will immensely help the farmers, he continued.
Keeping this in mind, the Central government led by Narendra Modi has decided to set up another unit of the FFDC in Manipur, he said.
Cultivating paddy once every year has minimised the yield or production of the fields in Manipur, he observed.
Stating that cultivating aromatic herbs and medicinal plants will also greatly help the farmers, he said lemon grass, gingers, turmeric and other varieties of plants are very much suitable for Manipur and could be planted during the off season.
He further stressed on the need for the agriculture sector to be linked with the industry and processing units to move forward.
The MoS also said that in his next visit to the State, he will bring schemes on solar looms in the State.
The prime Minister, he said has already stressed on the importance of handloom in his “Mann ki bat”.
At present Manipur is importing yarn from outside the State, he said adding that, during his present visit he has witnessed women formed weaving clusters which are producing excellent embroidery patterns.
The solar loom will help Manipur produce its own yarn, which will also help the handloom artisans, he added.
Another main objective of the Centre is to serve and upgrade the status of the farmers and industrial workers engaged in aromatic herbs cultivation and processing in the country, he added.
We will take them to the global market, he assured during his media interaction.
The Centre also has plans to introduce mass cultivation of geranium in Manipur, for which he has already consulted with the State Commerce and Industries minister Konthoujam Govindas, he added.
The minister was received at the KVK by BJP Manipur president Th Chaoba and his entourage.