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Manipur CM Pushes Integrated Farming & Organic Rice Export to Revive Economy

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh chaired a high-level meeting to review the state's economic revival plan, emphasizing the promotion of the Integrated Farming System and alternative crops in hill districts. The discussions also focused on leveraging the state's potential to export agricultural and horticultural products. In a related development, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla highlighted the success of organic Chak-Hao rice, with an MoU signed for its first export to Japan. The state is also advancing initiatives in oil palm cultivation and digital agriculture under various central schemes.

Key Points: Manipur CM Reviews Economic Revival, Focus on Integrated Farming

  • Review of economic revival measures
  • Focus on Integrated Farming System
  • Push for agriculture & horticulture exports
  • Success in organic Chak-Hao rice export
3 min read

Manipur CM reviews economic revival plan, promotes integrated farming system

CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh chairs review meeting on economic revival, promoting integrated farming and exports of organic Chak-Hao rice to Japan.

"promotion of organic Chak-Hao emerged as a notable success story - Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla"

Imphal, Feb 7

Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, on Saturday, chaired a high-level review meeting to assess measures for the state's economic revival, with a focus on promoting the Integrated Farming System, officials said.

An official of the Chief Minister's Office said that during the meeting at the Cabinet Hall of the Chief Minister's Secretariat, Chief Minister Khemchand Singh instructed the concerned authorities to promote alternative crop cultivation along with allied activities in the hill districts.

The meeting also deliberated on the state's potential for the export of agriculture and horticultural products, the official added.

According to the official, the meeting aimed to explore ways to boost the state's economy through integrated farming practices, leveraging the state's potential in agriculture and horticulture.

The Chief Minister's directives are expected to give a fillip to the state's economic revival efforts.

The review meeting was attended by Manipur Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, Additional Chief Secretary Vivek Kumar Dewangan, Commissioner to Chief Minister N. Ashok Kumar, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Director K. Devdutta Sharma, and Agriculture Director Peter Salam, among others.

Meanwhile, Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla in his address to the state Assembly session said on Thursday that the promotion of organic Chak-Hao emerged as a notable success story.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for the export of 20 metric tonnes of white Chak-hao rice to Japan for the first time.

First AGMARK certification for Chak-hao was also received, marking a significant milestone.

The Chak-hao is Manipur's celebrated black scented rice, which is renowned for its mild, nutty flavour, distinctive aroma, and deep purple hue when cooked, attributed to its high anthocyanin content.

A staple in religious feasts and ceremonies, this rice earned a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2019 due to its unique qualities derived from Manipur's pristine soil and environment.

However, traditional varieties face challenges such as low yields and tall plant height (above 150 cm), making them prone to lodging.

Governor Bhalla had said that under the Oil Palm Development Programme, a fresh MoU was signed to undertake oil palm plantations over 2,700 hectare during 2025-26.

Land covering 1,200 hectares has been identified with plantations completed in 402 hectare.

As part of the Digital Agriculture Mission, groundwork for the Digital Crop Survey began with a plan to cover 604 villages during Rabi season 2025-26, the Governor added.

Significant progress was achieved under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-Per Drop More Crop, where 7,008 small and marginal farmers were supported through Direct Benefit Transfer for installation of 4,104 sprinkler irrigation systems.

Additionally, 2,904 farmers benefited from water harvesting and conveyance structures.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Aman W
Chak-Hao rice to Japan! That's fantastic news and a proud moment for Manipur and India. GI-tagged products have huge export potential. More states should focus on promoting their unique agricultural products globally.
R
Rohit P
Good to see high-level meetings, but the real test is execution. We've seen many plans before. The article mentions challenges like low yield of traditional varieties. Hope the revival plan includes concrete R&D and support for farmers to adopt new techniques.
S
Sarah B
The Digital Crop Survey covering 604 villages sounds ambitious and necessary. Data-driven agriculture is the future. Supporting over 7,000 farmers with irrigation systems is a significant direct benefit. Hope this model is replicated.
K
Karthik V
Promoting oil palm needs careful environmental assessment. While it may bring economic benefits, we must ensure it doesn't lead to monoculture or harm the rich biodiversity of the Northeast. Integrated farming should mean truly sustainable farming.
M
Meera T
As someone from the region, it's heartening to see focus on our unique produce like Chak-Hao. It's not just a crop, it's part of our culture. Economic plans that preserve and promote such heritage are the way forward. Jai Hind!

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