“The objective of the CSIR Floriculture Mission is conservation and promotion of indigenous orchid species of Manipur… We expect the beneficiaries of the polyhouse to collect and grow indigenous orchid species of Manipur,” Huidrom Birkumar Singh, senior principal scientist of CSIR-NEIST, Lamphelpat, said during the inauguration of the polyhouse on Wednesday.

Appreciating Thongam Joysana for his contribution in bee-keeping, producing organic honey for several years, Birkumar said he has also been maintaining a flower nursery.

“In appreciation of his sincerity, work culture and dedication, we decided to provide him this polyhouse… This is the first step. In the years to come, I hope we can help him and other deserving beneficiaries more,” the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research scientist said.

Homen Thangjam, faculty of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, also spoke on the occasion. He said due to climate change various plant species are disappearing.

“Providing polyhouses to deserving beneficiaries shall go a long way to conserve and promote exotic species of Manipur’s orchids,” he said, adding that such a venture opens up avenues for revenue generation to several unemployed educated youths of Manipur.

Apunba Imagi Machasing president Mayanglambam Khelendro said, “Our land shall progress when there are persons who earn money through sweat and hard work. Equally, our land shall be prosperous when the government allots items of any scheme to deserving beneficiaries, not to anyone just because they are relatives of government employees”.

After the inauguration function, Birkumar presented Joysana 50 kg each of urea, SSP and MOP, Coco pith wet, ready to use (25 Kg, 10 bags), Nursery poly bag black colour (24x12 cm; 1000 pc per pack; one packet), hose pipe (one roll), one battery operated spray, garden tools including Khurpi (two pieces), one five-litre water tank, one hedge cutter, one spade, one Secateur and one bill hook, and one roll of aluminium wire (one Kg).