Day: March 16, 2023

By James Khangenbam Imphal 16 March 2023

Kanglapat

The Ministry of Jal Shakti has identified 75 Water Heritage Structures (WHS) including Kangla Moat (Kanglapat) of Manipur in reference to 75 years of India s Independence. The sites were recommended by a committee formed by the ministry from a total of 421 nominations received through states/UTs, central agencies, NGOs and general public and these include four Water Heritage Structures from Assam and one each from Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram from among the northeast states. In this connection, “Jal-Itihas” sub-portal under India-WRIS portal, showcasing the 75 WHS, was launched on January 5 at the 1st All India State Ministers Conference on Water held in Bhopal.

At present there is no central fund allocated/ disbursed for maintenance of these sites. As per information available on the pbrtal, Kanglapat was dug up during the rule of King Khunjaoba (1652-1666).The government of Manipur declared it as a protected area under the provision of “The Manipur Ancient and Historical Monument and Archaeological Site and Remains Act, 1976.On the other hand, the ministry, in 2023-24, Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) of Rs 70,000 Crore, proposed for implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission, which is Rs 15,000 crore more than the budgetary provision of Rs 55,000 crore for 2022-23.The state/UT-wise allocation of funds under the JJM is decided as per the provisions of its Operational Guidelines.

For 2022-23, the ministry allocated Rs 512.05 crore for JJM projects to Manipur. At the same time, the ministry had sanctioned Rs 21.93 crore in 2018-19, Rs 30.50 crore in 2019-20, Rs 23.51 crore in 2020-21, Rs 11.75 crore in 2021-22, and Rs 24.87 crore in 2022-23 to Manipur under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana – Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP) .

With the fund, the state government had created irrigation potential in 2390 hectares in 2018-19, nil in 2019-20, 3790 hectares in 2020-21, and 920 hectares in 2021-22.Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) was launched during 2015-16 by the Central Government with an aim to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, with the components: Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP), Command Area Development & Water Management (CADWM), Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI)/Repair, Renovation & Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies and Ground Water Irrigation in this Department.

Kanglapat listed among 75 water heritage sites Read More

By James Khangenbam Imphal 16 March 2023

Ministry of Food Processing industries

Ministry of Food Processing industries (MoFPI) has approved establishment of one Mega Food Park, one Integrated Cold Chains and two food processing units in Manipur with assistance under corresponding component schemes of Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY), according to a written reply given by union minister of state for food processing industries, Prahlad Singh Patel in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

MoFPI provides grants in the form of capital subsidy to eligible project proposals, selected on the basis of Expression of Interest issued from time to time, under its component schemes of PMKSY for setting up of food processing/preservation industries including Agro Processing clusters (Mini Food Parks) and Food Processing Units.

So far, the ministry has provided assistance of Rs 106.34 crore in 2019-20, Rs 61.22 crore in 2020-21, Rs 51.52 crore in 2021-22, and Rs 15.20 crore in 2022-23 for Mega Food Parks. Creation of Infrastructure Development for Agro Processing Cluster (APC), the ministry has provided assistance of Rs 43.53 crore in 2019-20, Rs 48.68 crore in 2020-21, Rs 49.08 crore in 2021-22, and Rs 36.59 crore in 2022-23 .At the same time, assistance of Rs 169.98 crore has been provided in 2019-20, Rs 200.84 crore in 2020-21, Rs 236.58 crore in 2021-22, and Rs 103.35 crore in 2022-23 for Creation/Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities (CEFPPC) .Figure of financial assistance provided so far for financial year 2022-23 is up to February 28, 2023 .

Processing industries sector

Mention may be made that food processing industries sector is fast developing in Manipur. Since 1991, the Department of Commerce & Industries, Manipur became the State Nodal Agency of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Govt. of India, a number of Projects, Schemes were taken up with the assistance of the Ministry. Favoured by agro-climatic conditions, Manipur produces variety of fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses, spices, etc. suitable for processing and potential for export.

Schemes like Technology Mission

Schemes like Technology Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture with the objective of improving production and productivity of horticultural crops by harnessing the potential of the region makes this field a viable option for commercialization as well as marketing.

Given the agro-climatic conditions, the State has rich agriculture resources. As per the Techno-feasibility Report conducted under the aegis of the National Horticultural Board and NABARD in collaboration with the Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Manipur, the potential area identified for horticultural crops is 2,77,064 Ha. Out of this, about 62,200 hectares is covered under horticulture crops and an area of 2,14,864 hectares still remains uncovered; giving ample opportunity for expansion.

Common horticulture crops grown in the State are Kharif vegetables (French bean, Cucurbits, Tomatoes, Brinjal, Bhindi, Colocecia, Alocacia), Rabi vegetables (Cabbage, Cauliflower, Potato, Pea, Broad bean, Radish, Carrot, Broccoli, lettuce, Capsicum), Spices (Onion, Garlic, Chilli, Ginger, Turmeric, Hatkora) Fruits and Plantation Crops (Litchi, Cashew nuts, Wall nuts, Orange, Lemon, Banana, Pineapple, Passion fruit, Peach, Pear, Plum).

Center approves Mega food park for Manipur  Read More