Imphal: In a bid to do away with poppy plantation in hill areas, Manipur Chief Minister N.Biren Singh on Friday launched a new innovative scheme named Cultivation of Horticulture Crops.
The Manipur Chief Minister taking to the micro-blogging site Twitter also apprised that a sum of 4 crores has been sanctioned for this scheme.
''Glad to have launched the "Cultivation of Horticulture crop as an alternative to poppy plantation in hill areas" scheme. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance, farm inputs, and marketing assistance to the farmers for producing these alternative crops,'' he tweeted.
Sing also launched the brand ''MANIFESH'' under which organic produce from the hills will be marketed.
''A sum of Rs 4 Crore has been sanctioned for this scheme. In the last few years, poppy plantations have been destroyed from nearly 6600 acres of land. Also, launched the brand "MANIFRESH" under which, organic produce from the hills will be marketed,'' he added.
The Chief Minister also asserted that the state government was committed to its War on Drugs Campaign and there would be no question of moving back in its effort to eradicate the drug menace from the state.
He also stated that he had no enmity with anyone or any community, adding, ''The campaign was started to conserve forest areas, uproot poppy cultivation, drug trafficking and its consumption ensuring a better future for the younger generations.
He further said that at least 355 farmers from Kangpokpi, Kamjong, and Ukhrul districts had benefitted from alternatives who earlier depended on poppy cultivation for their livelihood.
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