'Seed Mela' held at Wangjing
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, December 23 2020: A discussion programme on how to preserve food crops native to the State and to earn a sustainable source of livelihood by cultivating was organised today at the premises of Integrated Rural Development Service (Organisation (IRDSO) office campus at Wangjing.

A 'Seed Mela' for indigenous crops, was also held as a part of the discussion programme.

Chief Functionary of IRDSO, Nonibala Narengbam, while addressing the gathering threw light on why the discussion programme was being held.

Saying that we need food to sustain our life and growth, Nonibala stressed on the importance of preserving indiginous food crops which are slowly starting to vanish with the growing preference of ex6tic food crops.

It will be a big loss for all if the local/indigenous food crops are undermined and led to extinction, she said.

These food crops which have been providing energy and our nutritional requirements since time immemorial and should be treated with utmost attention as they possess potential, way enough for all to earn sustainable livelihood, said Nonibala.

To highlight the prospects, the seed mela or fair, specifically for the indigenous crops was held, she said.

The secretary of Weaker Section Development Council, Khangsim village, Shangnaidar Tontang also talked about ways of preserving seeds of food crops indigenous and making it abundantly available to all during the programme.

Thokchom Pradeep, Horticulture Development Officer who was also present at the occasion gave an insight of the schemes provided under Horticulture Department while SMS of Agronomy at KVK Thoubal, N Tomba spoke on the importance of large scale production of seeds of food crops.

Stalls displaying food crops suitable to the soil of the State were opened at the fair cum discussion programme organised by IRDSO Wangjing with the assistance of Church's Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA) .

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