IMPHAL, May 11: Manipur is blessed with good climate that is suitable for horticulture and it is high time for the hill people to switch cultivating cash crops instead of jhum cultivation to preserve forest land, said deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today after unveiling the inaugural stone of farmers training hall at Khongampat.
Gaikhangam said that the environment and soil in the state are crop friendly, blessed by God like a queen, and it is left to us to crown the queen by producing sustainable horticulture products. He said that the state is though limitedly endowed for wet cultivation as major portion of the state are hills leaving very little for cultivation with rain water. He mentioned that inclusive of hill areas, the state has large area for cultivation and with practice of extensive and inclusive horticulture cultivation can bring sustainable livelihood and food in the state.
Foods and livestock that are fed and grown in our soil has better taste that those imported, pineapple is one example that has better sweetness than those available outside the state, he said.
He said that jhum culture are no more feasible and are anti climate but rather the inclusive and extensive cultivation need to be promoted in the hill areas. He mentioned that the habit of jhum cannot be changed in a day. It will take time but alternatives of jhum like cultivation of cash crops should be brought in for preserving forest land of the state.
Now state has educated farmers and respect toward farmers is necessary as they are the one producing food grains for the whole populace, he stated while promoting organic farming.
He said that organic farming does not need much trainings or workshop as it is the same farming practice that were done before.
Parliamentary secretary horticulture and soil conservation Vungzagin Valte, Director of the department K Kipgen, MLA Lamsang W Brajabidhu Singh and Imphal West Adhaksha Y Dasumati Devi were also present during the inaugural function.