Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Imphal: Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen launched an ambitious plan to turn Kangpokpi into a primary turmeric production center. The push started Thursday, August 6, at a workshop held inside the SH-ADC office. Experts from CSIR-Jorhat joined the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department to map out a strategy for local farmers.
Kipgen told the crowd that turmeric could revitalize the hill districts. The project aims to rebuild livelihoods and stabilize incomes in areas hit by conflict. The government wants farmers to stop illicit cultivation for good. Kipgen noted, "turmeric cultivation has the potential to emerge as a key driver of economic growth in the hill districts by restoring livelihoods, strengthening rural resilience and creating long-term income opportunities, particularly in conflict-affected areas."
The plan builds an entire ecosystem around the crop. It covers everything from growing and processing to packaging and marketing. Senior Principal Scientists Dr. Mohan Lal and Dr. Jatin Kalita from CSIR-Jorhat led the technical training. They taught local producers modern farming techniques and how to manage quality for a market-oriented system. Officials expect this to create jobs and pull in new agro-industrial investment.
The state intends to cut reliance on unsustainable activities. By focusing on high-value legal crops, the government hopes to spark entrepreneurship. The workshop ended with stakeholders finalizing an action plan to spread these cultivation methods throughout the region.
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