A Project report on agricultural sector of Manipur

Manipur has some of the most indigenious varieties of plants and food out of which mushroom,passion fruit,U- morok (raja mircha), maroi nakuppi is one the favourites.A field trip and attachments with 2 farmers with on site discussion was done and the information gathered from the farmers an agriculture facilities of Manipur is thoroughly discussed.The hills and the valleys of the state have extended from the Himalayan region and are a part of the Himalayan ranges. Thus the climate supports the greenery here and the rich flora is a result of the climatic conditions that prevail in this region. The hills comprise of 90% of the land of Manipur. There are five hill districts and these five hilly district accounts of about 38% of population of Manipur. In these hilly regions there are around 33 scheduled tribes and minor tribes. The mountain ranges prevent the cold winds blowing into the valley and are a strong barrier that prevents the cyclonic storms that blow from the Bay of Bengal. The diverse variety of flora in Manipur is characteristic of the climatic conditions and the geographical location.The hills are full of various types of flowers, plants and trees that adorn the exquisite hills which make it a paradise on earth. This treasure house of exotic plants and flowers are perched between hills and lie to the extreme north east of the country. However, almost 67% of land in under forest. With the varying temperature and climatic conditions of Manipur, you can see varied flora add to the charm and beauty of the region. The variety of flora and the plant life thriving here has earned the top 10 bio-diversity hot spots in the world. The fauna is worth watching and you can find many endangered as well as local species of animals here. The climate can be categorized as a tropical and sub alpine and varies according to the hills and mountains. Due to this variety of climate you can find animals of different spices in abundance, that thrive happily given the climatic condition.Manipur is famous for its fauna.
Depending on the altitude of hill ranges, the climatic condition varies from tropical to sub-alpine. The wet forests and the pine forests occur between 900-2700 m above MSL and they together sustain a host of rare and endemic plant and animal life. Coveted the world over as some of the most beautiful and precious blooms, orchids have an aura of exotic, mysteries about them.In Manipur, they are abound in their natural habitat growing in soil or on trees and shrubs speaking their beauty and colour, stunning the eye that is not used to seeing them. in such profusion. Gifted with suitable agro-climatic conditions, Manipur is home to various food and cash crops, fruits and vegetables. The soil is fertile and suited more particularly in the hills for growing of different fruits and vegetables. Organic farming is the most sought-after practice in the hill areas. Pineapple, passion fruit and mushroom naturally grow.

1. A PROJECT REPORT ON manipur agricultural sector SUBMITTED BY: NAOREM DIANA DEVI (11112366 ) LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY

2. Introduction Manipur lies between 23.83 degree and 25.68 degree north latitude and 93.03 degree and 94.78 degree east, longitude The varieties of flora and the plant life thriving here has earned the top 10 bio-diversity hot spots in the world. Treasure house of exotic plants and flowers flourish as it lies to the extension of himalyan hills in the extreme north east of the country with south asian influence . Agriculture is the backbone of the economy in the state. Around 76% of the population in Manipur is engaged in agriculture .

3. Geographical features Shaped like a bowl it is surrounded with hills on all sides the valley with the valley in the middle. The altitude ranges from 40m at Jiribam to as high as 2,994m at Iso Peak near Mao above sea level. The valley comprises of 1843 sq kilometers (10%)and the remaining hills cover around 20,484 sq kilometers(90%).

4. . The Loktak lake is an important geographic feature of the central plain area. The total area occupied by all the lakes is about 600 Sq.Km .

5. The soil cover can be divided into two broad types, viz. the red ferrogenous soil in the hill area and the alluvium in the valley. Organic farming is the most sought-after practice in the hill areas. Pineapple, passion fruit , mushroom, ginger naturally grows. Various processed preparations of pineapple, passion fruit, bamboo shoot, mushroom and ginger have attracted wide markets outside the State. The main agricultural produce include paddy, mustard, maroi nakuppi , ginger and turmeric; fruits such as orange, passion fruit lemon, plum, pineapple,and vegetables like peas, cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, carrot, and pumpkin.

6. Mushroom cultivation in manipur

7. In Manipur mushrooms have been a part of dietrary habits for their flavour and higher food value since ages. Some varieties are used for medicinal purpose with high economic value for treatment of asthma,anaemic and lactating women. Some naturally occurring edible mushrooms found in Manipur are:- 1 . Lantinus edodes ( uyen ) 2 . Auricularia auricula ( uchina ) 3 . Schizophylum commune ( kanglaiyen ) 4 . Volvariela valvacae ( charuyen ) 5 . Tricholoma giganteum ( khongnang chengum ) 6 . Pleurotus sepidus

8. The project work on mushroom cultivation was taken on cultivation of Pleurotus spp. with the following work programmed : •Preparation of culture media. •Preparation of pure media mother culture. •Cultivation of spawn from mother culture. •Cultivation of Pleurotus species. •Management of insect pest and diseases if any

9. CAT FISH FARMING

10. Cat Fish( Clarias magur ) farming is among the fastest growing segments of agriculture in Manipur . Manipur valley is abundant wetlands the fish farming is increasing with the availability of right nature of water and land resources. Clarias magur is a fresh water breeding highly threatened by exploitation. It has brought substantial socio economic benefits such as increased nutritional level,income,employment and earning foreign exchange. Clarius magur is one of the most important species in Asia . M ost commonly reared in the ponds around the areas of Uchekon,Imphal west district and areas of Moirang and Thoubal with ease of road transportation to Ima keithel at the capital city . This fish is highly regarded for food due to its high protein (15.0%), low fat (1.0%) and high iron content (710mg/100g tissue).

11. Under favourable conditions Ngakra ( Clarias magur ) is expected to attain weight upto 130gm in six months of growing period. Ngakra ( Clarius magur ) can be artificially fed In Manipur Ngakra has a market value of 350-600/kg about US$4-7/kg with insufficient supply for the consumers. In Manipur partly improve swamp and ponds can be used for growing the species. Stocking density @60-100 fingerlings per square metre (6-10 lakhs/ha).

12. CULTIVATION OF MAROI NAKUPPI(Allium odorum )

13. Maroi nakupi is a kind of leek, (looks like a grass )growing about 15 to 25 cm height, leaves are green, narrowly linear, flattish, 3 to 6 mm wide . It is an important perennial, draught resistant, fast growing, quickest income generating spice Maroi nakupi a cholesterol free spice / vegetable have been using in different forms as a spice/ vegetable or as medicinal herb and widely used in various dishes in Oriental cooking in South Asian Countries .. From scientific studies it is reportedly known that this spice comprise morevitamin A than any other Alliaceae family member spices and help human body to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

14. Improved farming practices of maroi nakuppi

15. Due to adoption of new farming technologies and creation of modern infrastructures the yields have been enhanced considerably from the traditional system of farming. The yield per acre (4046 sq.mtr area) is around 1280 bundles equivalent to 1920 – 2304 kgs . The gross income from one acre of land is around Rs.30,720 per month. T he net income earned per month is Rs.24,000 during summer and Rs.15,000-18,000 during winter. Although, this spice is abundantly available in Manipur, it is either very rare or not available in the mainland markets of the country .

16. CULTIVATION OF PASSION FRUIT IN MANIPUR

17. Passion fruit ( Passiflora edulis ) is round to oval, yellow or dark purple when it becomes ripe. The passion fruit is grown in most of the gardens in Mao- Maram and Poumai Naga dominated areas since 1970s. The juice but mainly the leaves of passion fruit contain the alkaloids, including Harman, which has blood pressure lowering, sedative and antispasmodic action. The flower of passion fruit has a mild sedative and can help to induce sleep and is sometimes used as a mild hallucinogen.

18. Passion fruit is mostly cultivated in Senapati District, Manipur In Senapati district, about 100 sq. km comes under passion fruit cultivation and it is available to export to other States of India and abroad. The soil moisture and cool climatic condition is quite suitable in Senapati District, but still the farmers need to explore for commercial cultivation. The potentiality of commercial cultivation in India is still untapped till today in many states in India . However due to non availability of the marketing facilities and traders, it is locally consumed and farmers faces heavy loss.

19. RESULT AND DISCUSSION According to an official source the Planning Commission has calculated that with an increase growth rate of just 5.9%, Manipur has lowest economy growth among the NE State during the 11th Five Year Plan. Recent study conducted in hill districts of Manipur reveal that growers have been facing the problem of low remunerative prices and transportation problem. Reveal that growers have been facing the problem of low remunerative prices and transportation problem.

20. Since the ratio of valley to hill areas is 1:10, the average operational holding of land valley areas has been decreasing due to Infrastructure Development, Global Warming and Population Explosion etc In order to exploit it, the arable cropped area with assured irrigation facility can both be Intensified and Diversified. The traditional Shifting Cultivation Method must be replaced by the technically feasible method like the Contour Sowing and Terracing to minimize the enviromental degradation. The agricultural product price of Manipur is higher than the price of other non local products.

21. Water-Harvesting Technique at the farm-sites; Systems of Rice Intensification; Cultivation of Arobic Rice etc can also be introduced to the farmers. The percentage contribution of area, yield and their interaction effect of Churachandpur and Senapati district has been remarkable. The study shows that district with high growth rate exhibits high instability. A study conducted on the Problems of Bamboo Cultivation in Tamenglong Districts of Manipur indicates that Bamboo flowering; land-tenure ship; low-remunerative prices; and transportation are the main problems giving hindrance to the bamboo growers of the districts.

22. Scientists and other researchers must produce HYVs for hilly areas and provide the same to farmers. Practical model of water-harvesting and micro-irrigation-technique along the Contours and farm-site must be provided. The best model which can be recommended for the hilly region is the Three-Tier-System where-in Silvi - Horti -Agri. Farming System. Agricultural Extension Services need to be strengthened so as to improve the transfer of technology to both the skilled & unskilled farmers

23. Agri -Clinics & Agri-Business, Kishan -Call- Centres and Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) for the transfer of technology or dissemination particularly at district level must be implemented . Being a sensitive area close to the international border General Strike, blockade, public curfew etc are regular phenomenon during the working days. The agricultural product price of Manipur is higher than the price of other non local products ) There is a wide gap between the physical achievement and the financial achievement in the agricultural sector

24. In a plan economy the problems of agriculture are tried to be overcome by the use of irrigation facilities. proper facilities for marketing, so that risks and uncertainties due to abnormal situations might not upset the farmers .