A new hope for economic sustainability has came to appear on the mind of farmers of the Kachai village of Ukhrul district with continuous buy back offers by various local and national entrepreneurs during the 2nd District level Lemon Festival recently held at the lemon Belt region of Kachai village in Ukhrul district.

The 2nd district level lemon festival at Kachai was organised by the Kachai Fruit Farming & Processing Cooperative Society Ltd. under the joint sponsorship of department of horticultue & soil conservation, government of Manipur, Manipur Small Farmers` Agri-Business Consortium, ICAR Research centre, Manipur and district administration, Ukhrul with an objective to promote the resource mobilization of farmers of Kachai which is the home of the high grade of lemons since time immemorial and also enable to commercialize the production by enhancing the synergy between the farmers and entrepreneurs.

At the formal inaugural function of the festival, Ch. Birendra Singh Commissioner (IFC, Power, YAS, S/D and Vigilance) Manipur, highlighted the need of cooperation between the farmers and concerned authorities for maximum productions as well as marketisation of the lemons so that the long cherished dreams of the farmers can be fulfilled.

Commissioner Horti & Soil Conservation Govt. Manipur Henry K. Heny in his presidential speech noted that in view of the need for the commercialization of lemon for ensuring economic sustainabily for the farmers, the department have taken various steps for the expansion as well as for the quality productions of lemon in the village in coordination with the ICAR since last five years.

He observed the Kachai lemon belt is covering more than 240 hectares and the department has already initiated new expansion of 60 hectares in the belt and the bearing of the lemon are expected after five years from now.

Besides production of lemon in this Kachai belt have increased by double from last year. The increase in production was the joint efforts of the farmers and technical officers of the horticulture department and ICAR scientist who have done citrus rejuvenation in Kachai village since last five years following the complaints of weathering the orchards.

Finally he added that, the Kacahi lemon has been nationally and Internationally certified as one of the high grade Vitamin C. contains and now several national enterprenure have started demanding in bulk but due to the improper transport systems the Kachai lemons are not still in the market properly.

The joint director ICAR, Manipur SV. Ngachan said, the ICAR is prioritising diversification to other horticulture based crops in the region as the region been suitable for various horticulture crops. Besides the centre is paying attention to enhance the technology intrusion to the productions for economic sustainability.

Project coordinator MSFAC Mohendro Singh Khaidem maintained that, under the venture capital assisted scheme of the consortium there is possibilities of setting primary processing unit, value addition of their products with the supports of the scheme, which will minimse the post harvest loses and heavy expenditures on transportation cost.

He also said that, there are also various schemes under the Union ministry of agriculture where the farmers society or enterprenures can avail 33.33% back-ended subsidy on creation of market infrastructures and rural godowns/common collection facilties centres.

Unlike last year, the lemon festival at Kachai was attended by several hundred villagers from various parts of the Ukhrul and its neighboring Senapati district, and also many enterprenures from Imphal and outside state promising to buy the lemons in bulk after the festival.

A total of 173 farmers of Kachai and Thiwa village participated in the Lemon exhibition during the festival in which the award of highest production was given to K. Minghola of Kachai who was rewarded Rs. 5000 by the organising committee and 2nd prize and third goes to Moyowon of Thiwa village Senapati district and K. Luingamla of Kachai respectively with the cash rewards of Rs. 3000 and 2000 each.

Source