The Manipur government on Saturday announced that the Manipur Food Industries Corporation Limited's (MFICL) cold storage unit located at food park in Nilakuthi, Imphal can be utilised for storing surplus perishable food items/produce as an immediate and preventive measure to curb food losses during COVID-19 lockdown.
According to Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA) project director K Debadutta Sharma, the cold storage unit will support the farmers and entrepreneurs with assured market through procurement of their surplus perishable seasonal produces.
Manipur has huge potential in agriculture and horticulture sectors by supplying raw materials for the processing of food items as well as a good number of superior and unique produces. However, with no proper food storage facility in the state, most locally sourced products often have limited reach.
Now, with the latest development on horticulture and soil conservation department, the local products will have a wider reach or markets, boosting the dwindling economy of the economy during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.
The state government has now invited farmers, entrepreneurs, farmers‘ groups and farmer producer companies (FPCs) having surplus perishable produces to avail of the assistance and utilise the cold storage facilities.
The interested individuals, farmers are requested to visit the MOMA officer or reach out to manipurorganic@gmail.com. One may also call on the help desk number 7085839624 for further information.
