Imphal, August 7, 2026: The Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department has outlined an ambitious plan to strengthen Manipur’s horticulture sector by expanding organic cultivation, improving post-harvest infrastructure, promoting value-added products and creating better market opportunities for farmers.
Director K. Debadutta Sharma presented the department’s achievements and future plans during a Meet the Press programme at the DIPR auditorium in Imphal on Friday.
A major focus of the department is the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), which currently covers 43,000 hectares and benefits around 43,000 farmers. Under the programme, 76 Farmer Producer Companies have been formed to encourage collective farming and marketing. Farmers have also received ₹15,000 each through Direct Benefit Transfer, along with planting materials, organic fertilisers, bio-pesticides and farm equipment.
The department has developed substantial infrastructure to support the horticulture value chain, including 126 collection centres, 98 input delivery units, 22 warehouses, 64 transport vehicles, 82 processing units, 14 vermicompost units and three cold rooms. Organic certification has so far been completed for 17,563 hectares, while nearly 26,900 training and capacity-building programmes have been conducted under MOVCDNER between 2016 and 2026.
Promoting indigenous horticultural products is another key priority. Chakhao, Tamenglong Orange and Sirarakhong Hathei have secured Geographical Indication tags, while the Organic Manipur brand has been introduced to improve the visibility and demand for local organic products.
The department said marketing networks have expanded to seven organic retail outlets in India and another outlet in Ajman, UAE. It is also preparing around 25 products with international barcodes for export. More than 1,000 metric tonnes of Chakhao, 700 metric tonnes of pineapple, 600 metric tonnes of turmeric, 500 metric tonnes of ginger and other horticultural products have been marketed outside the state and overseas.
The department has also supported local enterprises, including Thangjam Agro Industries Pvt. Ltd., which established Manipur’s first tetra-pack fruit juice processing facility under the LIKLA brand. MOMA has also received national recognition through awards at the Jaivik India Awards and organic food exhibitions.
Under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture during 2025-26, the department established 18 nurseries, expanded fruit cultivation across 525 hectares and promoted hybrid vegetables over 1,900 hectares. Support was also provided for mushroom cultivation, protected farming, water-harvesting structures, beekeeping, farm machinery, solar dryers, pack houses and marketing facilities.
The department has further developed micro-irrigation systems across 324 hectares under the Per Drop More Crop component of PM-RKVY. It has distributed 685 diesel pump sets and supported the construction of 115 farm ponds to improve irrigation and water availability.
Crop insurance is another area of intervention. Under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, around 1,000 horticulture farmers have been enrolled since 2021, with nearly 500 receiving compensation. The department said it intends to widen insurance coverage to include more crops and farmers.
Other initiatives include the Manipur Beekeeping and Honey Mission, expansion of makhana cultivation and a ₹4 crore integrated farming project at Huishu village in Ukhrul district. The project brings together horticulture, livestock, fisheries, agro-forestry and beekeeping.
To address post-harvest losses, 11 cold storage facilities have been established across districts through SASCI and state-funded schemes. Assistance has also been provided to farmers affected by hailstorms and heavy rainfall, including support for market intervention and transportation of produce outside Manipur.
Looking ahead, the department has proposed a Model Integrated Horticulture Centre, a Krishi Vigyan Kendra at Mao, a National Institute of Indian Lotus, pilot coffee cultivation projects, floriculture and mushroom development programmes, additional Organic Manipur outlets and a dedicated seed and organic certification agency.
The department also plans to promote sustainable horticulture-based livelihoods in poppy-affected areas, with the aim of creating alternative sources of income while further strengthening Manipur’s organic horticulture economy.
