Urging women to take up economic activities, "Barring Assam, there is no industrialization in states of the Northeast. The economy is mostly agrarian and fruits are produced aplenty. So small fruit-processing industries can be set up in the region. There is good scope for horticulture and floriculture too. Nowadays, orchids are in huge demand for wedding and other purposes. Orchids are being imported from Thailand. The climate of the Northeast is similar to that of Thailand. Orchid-farming can be taken up by women and the products can be exported to the Southeast Asian countries and Japan where they are in high demand."
Inaugurating the three-day Emerging Northeast 2018 Expo as the Chief Guest, Manipur Governor Najma Heptulla urged agriculturists to take up orchid farming and floriculture with an eye on the export market.
Hon`ble Governor further added Ema market is a unique all-women's market in Imphal where nearly 6,000 women run shops and are economically independent.
The exhibition is being organized by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) with support of the DoNER ministry, tourism ministry, ministry of food processing industries besides ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship at Shilpgram
Hon`ble Governor also lauded the Centre for improving connectivity in the region and said the Eastern Highway, which is being constructed to connect the region with countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will lead to opening up of trade with the Northeast.
She praised hand-woven garments and handicrafts of the region which, she said, will have a good export market.
Lok Sabha MP Bijoya Chakravarty said: "The Northeast now seems to be smaller in size due to better connectivity. We find everything and everyone here but there is lack of science-based knowledge. If we apply right technology in all sectors, we will witness vast development. The expo is an appropriate event for the farmers here."
Shri DS Rawat - Secretary General, ASSOCHAM said, “ASSOCHAM will be handholding entrepreneurs from technology, finance and marketing, and for doing so, ASSOCHAM will work with state government and agencies of central government in other North eastern states.”
Also present at the event were Shri DS Rawat - Secretary General, ASSOCHAM; Dr. RK Singh- Programme Coordinator, KVK Phek; Dr. Subhas Bhattacharjee- Executive Director, NERAMAC; Dr. Ombeer S Tyagi- Senior Director, ASSOCHAM amongst others.
Chander Mohan
Krishi Jagran
