Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on Thursday informed that the state has started working on the lines of self-reliance under the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojna initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“Manipur marching ahead on self reliant under Hon’ble PM @narendramodi ji’s VAN DHAN. Started buying, processing and selling of fruits and other food items from local farmers to boost their income”, tweeted the Chief Minister.
Under this scheme items like Pineapple squash, bamboo shoot pickle, Mango pickle, ginger and mango candy have been produced by the Thanlon Vikas Kendra.
On similar lines ginger and turmeric plantation has been in progress at Hungpung center of the scheme in Ukhrul, informed the Chief Minister.
Food processing has been going on at several other Van Dhan Kendras of the state with the locally collected and harvested produce.
The Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojna is aimed at the economic development of tribals by helping them in optimum utilization of natural resources and providing them with a sustainable livelihood. These Vikas Kendras have been set up under this scheme to upgrade the skills of the locals. These centers provide demonstrative tool kits to the trainees for scientific collection, harvesting and processing of Minior Forest Produce (MFP).
Few days back the Manipur Government had announced a corpus fund of Rs. 3 Crores to buy and preserve the locally produced fruits and vegetables.
