Imphal :
Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) Lamphel Chairman L Radhakishore conveyed that the board will be taking up the project of growing 10,000 acres of cotton in Jiribam district and substituting the poppy plants at hilly regions with coffee plantations.
He made this above statement during a calendar releasing function of KVIB in Lamphel today.
The Chairman continued that the calendar entails information about the achievements of the board and its upcoming projects.
He further stated that the N Biren led Government has taken up many initiatives and projects for revival and development of Khadi industries in the State.
The board had planted 15 acres of cotton in Jiribam district before, he said.
The State Government acknowledged the initiative of the board and recognised it as the pilot project of cotton plantation of Jiribam district.
Following this, the 10,000 acres of cotton plantation has been launched under the sponsorship of the State Government, added the chairman.
He stated that the cotton project will not be based only in Jiribam and explained that the district was chosen as the soil turned out to be compatible for cotton plants.
Maintaining that using imported clothing as well as yams has impacted the State’s economy, Radhakishore stated that people should start relying more on things which are produced in the State.
The cotton plantation project will help improve the State’s economic situation and the condition of the farmers as well, he added.
Conveying that coffee plantation will also help decrease unemployment of youths in the State, he said that KVIB had deliberated with the Chief Minister and his cabinet Ministers to start the coffee project.
Radhakishore maintained that so far, 2 lakh coffee seeds have been grown at hilly areas of the State and added that the board has set its target to plant seven lakh extra coffee plants.
He said that the board has received 100 kg of coffee seedlings from the Coffee Board of India and added that, as a pilot project, coffee seedlings nursery will be prepared and planted at Bishnupur and Jiribam districts.
source: http://www.e-pao.net / E-PAO / Home> Headlines / source: The Sangai Express / Imphal – February 12th, 2020
