Key Points

At the heart of this movement is 28-year-old Chokhone, a dynamic entrepreneur from Mao, whose efforts have turned the region into a flourishing hub of dried flower cultivation. "We have around seven to eight hundred dedicated farmers growing flowers across various villages in the Mao area. Our dried flowers are now sold in 17 states across India," she said.

Known as the 'Land of Flowers', Mao blooms with cosmos, orchids, strawflowers, and irises. Local farmers, many of them women, are capitalising on the growing demand for decorative and medicinal flowers. One such farmer, Kaini, proudly held up a bunch of vibrant statice blooms. "They come in different colours. A bunch sells for one hundred rupees, highlighting the direct benefits to rural households," she said.

The floriculture venture has not only brought economic prosperity but also created significant employment opportunities, transforming once-subsistence farming into profitable green enterprises.

Meanwhile, over 150 km away, another inspiring story is unfolding at Manipur University. A team of eleven students, driven by a shared vision for sustainability, launched an organic watermelon farm using fully natural methods. "We started after getting permission from the Vice Chancellor," said Laishram Chandramani, a student leader. "It only takes 120 days to harvest, and we can earn a good income."

This youthful initiative stands as a beacon of innovation and eco-conscious enterprise. Together, the success stories from Senapati and Imphal underscore Manipur's commitment to a healthier, greener future through organic farming, one flower and fruit at a time.

- ANI