Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh Wednesday inaugurated organic outlets at Pune and Bengaluru via video conferencing, besides flagging off a consignment of 10 MT of GI tagged organic Chak-hao (black rice) to Europe in a function held at CM’s Secretariat.
The organic outlets at Pune and Bengaluru were opened by Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA) under Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), Manipur to export and promote organic products of the State in different parts of the country.
Export of Chak-hao to Europe is done by Freshies Fresh under Nahakpam Food & Beverages, Imphal through Organic Foods Pvt. Ltd., Kolkata. This highly nutritious rice variety is grown by organic farmers/organic FPCs of Chakhao Poireiton Organic Producer Company Ltd., Imphal West supported by Green Foundation, Imphal under MOVCDNER, Manipur.
Speaking on the occasion, Biren Singh exhorted the agriculture and horticulture entrepreneurs to apply for financial assistance from StartUp and other Government schemes. MOMA has been exporting state’s indigenous organic items like ginger, pineapple, chak-hao, etc. to different parts of the country and abroad, he said. Despite COVID-19 pandemic, the state has been able to export different organic items worth Rs. 68 crore in the past few years, he added.
The Chief Minister further stated that due to constant and relentless efforts of the State Government, Manipur could considerably increase production of fish and horticulture/agriculture items. Maintaining that there is need for giving thrust to horticulture and agriculture sectors for economic prosperity, the Chief Minister said that several tube-wells and check dams are being constructed for it in different parts of the State. He also said that organic outlets would be opened in other cities as well.
Agriculture Minister O. Lukhoi said that promotion and export of indigenous agriculture and horticulture products is being done with all seriousness for the first time in the state under the leadership of the Chief Minister. With the opening of organic outlets in different cities, state natives as well as other people would be able to test the unique taste of indigenous items of Manipur.
Additional Chief Secretary (Horticulture) P. Vaiphei and other high ranking officials of the Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department were also present at the occasion.
