Motivation programme on Aromatic plants

“Commercial Cultivation and Processing of Aromatic Plants in Manipur” held at Food Park today

Imphal, 12 September : One day industrial motivation campaign on “Commercial Cultivation and Processing of Aromatic Plants in Manipur” was today held at Food Park, Nilakuthi in Imphal east.

The campaign programme was jointly organised by the Fragrance and Flavour Development Centre (FFDC) project for ministry of small and medium entreprises (MSME) Technology centre, Imphal and MSME development institute Imphal.

The programme which discussed on the prospect commercial cultivation and processing of aromatic plants in Manipur took up the topics—Improved commercial cultivation and post harvest management of aromatic plants; Prospects of commercial cultivation of Aromatic plants in Manipur; Fundamental of extraction technology and value addition in essential oils, Role of MSME-Technology centre Imphal; Quality assessment and storage of essential oils; and success stories of an entrepreneur.

Dr. H. B. Singh, principal scientist, NIEST, Lamphel, Imphal, Mohendra Singh Khaidem, joint director and ex officio project coordinator, Manipur SFAC, department of agriculture, Manipur, Dr. Nadeem Akbar, deputy director, FFDC, Kanauj, Dr. S. Yoirentomba Meitei, project coordinator, FFDC project for SMSE technology Imphal centre and W. Lamnganba of L.L Agrotech talked on the said topics respectively.

Former chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh inaugurated the food processing park on December 6, 2016 with the objective to facilitate the entrepreneurs to establish their business.

The then union minister of state for food processing industries Sadhvi Niranjan on September 15, 2015 announced in Imphal the centre’s plan to set up the mega food park. She promised the MUDRA Bank would provide loans to unemployed youths and women without any guarantor, ranging from Rs. 5,000 to 10 lakh for food processing activities.

The total cost of the park is around Rs. 45 crore and has a total of 49 plots of 600 square meter each. The park has facilities like cold storage, warehouse, drainage sewerage and one affluent treatment plant.