IMPHAL, 12 Nov: In the coming years Koso Village will be capable of conducting the Banana Festival in a larger scale with Banana farming with support from IFAD is improving considerably, said Koso Village Headman, Wungam Makan.
The Headman who is also the programme Committee of the Koso Banana Festival, stated this during the launch of the 2nd Ever Mothei Phanit (Banana Festival) was organised today at Koso Village, Phungyar Sub Division of Ukhrul District, hosted by Koso Village, Phungyar Sub-Division, Ukhrul District.
Wungam Makan further said that Banana Festival was first conducted in 2011, but it could not continue owing as production bananas at the village declined gradually year after year due to the apathy of the authority concerned.
Expressing gratitude to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), he said that with sanction of fund in two phases to the banana growers of the village along with technical support Koso Villager once again able to return to its former glory and conduct the festival.
Project Manager NERCORMP/IFAD, Ukhrul Tychicus Vashum, attending as the chief guest of the occasion mentioned that IFAD was extended to the state of Manipur in 1998 with the permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs and since then it is working for development and promoting agricultural products using scientific method.
He said that 20 to 30 villages of Phungyar range of Ukhrul have been identified as suitable for growing bananas.
A special variety of Banana called `Grand Nain`™ also spelled as `Grande Naine`™ which is one of the most commonly cultivated banana and a source of commercial Cavendish banana is grown in the range by the villagers with support from IFAD.
He said he is optimistic that in the coming years Phungyar would be able to conduct Banana Festival in cluster level and in a larger venue.
Editor Aja, local daily Newspaper, Valley Rose who attended as the special guest of the occasion said that many of the horticulture products available at Imphal city are the products from small villagers like Koso Village. Bananas sold at Nagaram area are the products of Koso Village and the taste of the bananas are well appreciated by the consumers, she said and added that the bananas grown in Koso village has different and palatable taste.
She somehow regretted the Horticulture Department of the state for their absence to support the village or banana growers particularly during crisis. She said that the banana growers are supported by an NGO group called IFAD rather than the Government.