Imphal, the 25th June, 2017 (DIPR): The 10th State level pineapple festival cum sellers & buyers meet and youth festival, 2017 was kicked off from today at Thambalnu Market Complex, Poiroupat, Lamkhai, Andro A/c, Imphal East. The festival was jointly organised by Development Organisation Andro Kendra and Horticulture Department, Government of Manipur. It was sponsored by North Eastern Council (NEC), Government of India and the festival will continue till 29th June, 2017.
The inaugural function of the festival was graced by the Deputy Chief Minister Shri Y. Joykumar Singh and MAHUD, TP, Forest & Environment, Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Shri Th. Shyamkumar as Chief Guest and President respectively. Parliamentary Secretaries Shri L. Susindro Singh (Home); Shri K. Leishiyo (Horticulture and Soil Conservation); Director Horticulture and Soil Conservation K. Kipgen and Th. Babita Devi, Social Worker/ Patron Development Organisation Andro Kendra attended as Guests of Honours.
Speaking on the occasion Shri Y. Joykumar said that one of the most important areas which have the potential for development of the State is agricultural sector. Comparing with other varieties of pineapple, our indigenous pineapple which are a bit small in size has unique and better taste. So, let’s try to save and promote this indigenous pineapple variety. Because of our hill lock structure and availability of plenty of fruits, farmers better to go for integrated farming. We need to ponder on which product of agriculture will be better to combine with pineapple, he added.
Giving signal for co-operative movement, Shri Y. Joykumar told that Cooperative society will help to take more aids and funds from the Union Agricultural Ministry since Manipur don’t have the cooperative movement.
In his presidential address, Shri Th. Shyamkumar said that the objective for organising such festival is to bring back the work culture which was there in the blood of our fore fathers to our youths and also better economy of the pineapple growers. Saying everything including education is coming towards in the right direction in Andro Kendra, the Minister wished for a developed and peaceful Manipur.
As a part of the programme, a souvenir was released, cultural dance by different communities were performed too. (DIPR)
[ecwid widgets=”productbrowser search minicart” categories_per_row=”4″ grid=”10,3″ list=”60″ table=”60″ default_category_id=”21294227″ category_view=”list” search_view=”list” minicart_layout=”MiniAttachToProductBrowser”]
