Imphal, Jan. 9 (EMN): Manipur forest and horticulture minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar on January 9 launched the brand name ‘Organic Manipur’ so that the organic products of the farmers in the state could be recognised under the above brand name.

To promote the organic produces/products, the first ever organic outlet in the North east region was opened in Imphal under the central scheme Mission Organic Chain Development for North East Region of the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in November last year.

Speaking to media on the sideline of an event here, Shyamkumar said the Centre has been providing livelihood to the organic farmers of the state under various schemes. Raising concern over the rise in cases of health issues and diseases, he stressed on the need for switching to organic cultivation and usage of vermicompost instead of chemical fertilisers.

He also informed that the department is working hard to provide loan to make vermicompost to the farmers of the state in collaboration with the banks soon.

Project Officer K Debadutta Sharma of Manipur Organic Mission Agency said 5000 hectares of land under organic cultivation was covered in the first year out of which 2,000 hectares of land was used for cultivating black rice or aromatic rice (chak-hao) in the valley districts. He added that 3000 hectares of land was used for cultivation of ginger, turmeric, orange, lemon, pineapple and king chilli (u-morok) in six hill districts.

Stating that the state will get the C2 certificate (organic certification), he said once the certification is procured the organically certified products of the state can be sold under the brand name ‘Organic Manipur’ worldwide.

Chairman L Radhakishore Singh of Manipur Pollution Control Board and Khadi and Village Industries Board and the Junior Marketing Officer Parul Mehta of Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, were also present in the day’s event.