ACOAM Lup decries NERAMEC’s move to register Chak-hao Poireiton

Expressing concern that the indigenous rice crop Chak-hao Poireiton might get fiddled into wrong hands, ACOAM Lup has drawn the attention of the state government to get Geographical Indication (GI) of it without any delay.

Vice president of ACOAM Lup, Sanjit Soraisam while speaking to the media at its Lamphelpat office today said Chak-hao poireiton is a rare indigenous product of the state. Once the Chak-hao Poreiton is cultivated outside the state its farmers’ effort of preserving and promoting the crop will go in vain, he said.

Sanjit further claimed that the North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation Limited (NERAMEC) under the DoNER ministry is trying to register the indigenous crop.

“But the department concerned of the state government has been keeping mum in this regard. If the company registers the crop under its name the state farmers will face problem in the future when they want to cultivate it”, he said.

Sanjit appealed the state government to take up special measures to tackle the problems faced by the farmers. “By helping the farmers of the state can reduce the state can reduce the dependency of crops from outside the state”, he added.

Sanjit censured the state government for neglecting the plight of the farmers which has led to over-dependency of food crop from outside the state.

He went on to warn the state government of different forms of agitations if the latter fails to take notice of the demands.

Director of Phou-oibee organic producer company limited, Ahongsangbam Marjit Khuman who was also present in the media briefing came down heavily against the move of NERAMAC to register Chak-hao under its name. He urged the Agriculture department to take initiative to register Chak-hao Poireiton under the state’s name.

He also said the government should fix the minimum support price for the interest of the farmers at the earliest.He further questioned the credentials of the farmers who names are mentioned in the 3rd point in the regulation of GI.

“The four farmer groups from four districts of Manipur, Chingarel Organic Producer Company limited, Phou-oibee Organic Producer Company limited, Chak-hao Poireiton Organic Producer Company Limited and Apunba Organic Producer Company limited do not have any knowledge regarding the GI registration by NERAMAC”, he said, adding that without the knowledge of the farmers the company simply cannot add names.

Source Imphal Free Press