In State Assembly, Manipur Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar Singh shared that the first-ever ginger festival will be held in Pherzawl district in March this year. Manipur Government is concerned about ginger production in the state and to promote it, state government is working on this initiative.
Thounaojam Shyamkumar Singh was responding to observations by Opposition MLAs during a discussion in the assembly. Congress MLA Dr Chaltonlien Amo of Tipaimukh constituency has raised question over the lack of transportation facilities in Pherzawl district. Opposition MLA was asking for more facility to the district as it holds a really large scale production of ginger.
Manipur has been celebrating events like lemon festival in Kachai, orange festival in Tamenglong and pineapple festival at Andro in Imphal East.
Shyamkumar further added that the government has sincerely taken steps to promote ginger cultivation in the state. Our department also has a plan to introduce quinoa in place of poppy plants. Quinoa is said to be a flowering plant used for its edible seeds. However, the minister did not elaborate on it. Yet, he assured that he is working on a plan to introduce soil-testing facility from the current financial year.  And, the department is also taking up steps to develop more cold storages as well as more organic vegetable outlets in the market areas.