By L.C.K Singh

Imphal, July 11 (ANI): To bring all pineapple farmers of Manipur, a State known for pineapple production, on a common platform and promote agro-based tourism and horticulture crops, the 2nd State level pineapple festival cum youth festival was held recently in Imphal.

The festival was launched to encourage pineapple growers in Manipur.

Organised by the Development Organisation, Andro Kendra, it was held at Thambalnu Market, Yairipok in Imphal. The event saw 120 stalls being put up and pineapples produced by around 400 to 500 farmers put on public display.

Experts from Central Agricultural University, State Horticulture Department of the state provided technical training to farmers on the cultivation of pineapples.

The festival is a step forward in helping farmers become economically stable.

“Our aim is to help the farmers of the state benefit from pineapple cultivation. We have organised this festival, as we wanted to remove poverty from the state. The farmers will be able to assist their children’s studies through the income generated,” said K. Abungcha Singh, Organising Secretary, Pineapple Festival.

“This festival will help bring development to the state. This is the 2nd pineapple festival and it has encouraged us (pineapple farmers) as our hard work has been recognized. People will also get to know about pineapple cultivation in the state,” said O. Thambal Devi, a pineapple farmer in Manipur.

As a part of the festival, various cultural programmes were also held.

The state produces pineapples at about 10,000 tonnes per hectare annually and has become the highest producer and exporter in the country.

And, the festival is an opportunity for the farmers to display their products and market them not only at the state level but internationally as well.

Moreover, State horticulture department has recognized Queen and Kew variety of pineapple available in the state as priority crop from this year and will install a processing unit at Andro under the technology mission of the department. (ANI)