AgriManipur - E-paolive.net

AgriManipur Volume 1, Issue 1http://www.assamesecuisine.comFakchetCont. from page 7……………………………..Underutilized crops ofManipur: Importance and ProspectPoor recognition of these cropsin horticulture promotion programmes.• Improper institutional arrangementsand limited role played byfinancial institutions in settingup of agro industrial and horticulturebased industrial units.Strategies for the developmentof underutilized crops:• Genetic erosion is very seriousproblem in non-traditional fruitsand many land races will becomeextinct if these are not conservedsoon. Domestication of potentialwild species through homesteadcultivation should be encouragedfor avoiding over-exploitationfrom natural sources.Under-utilized horticulturalcrops are mainly grown/ managedunder traditional farmingsystems by diverse ethnic communities.Increased focus to documentindigenous knowledge isrequired. Such emphasis will helptap value additions as much ofnative diversity is put to multipurposeuses.There is a necessity to make thefarming community aware aboutthe nutritional importance ofunexploited horticultural crops,use of mass media like radio, TV,news paper and other printedliterature can play an effectiverole in creating awareness amongthe farmers.For proper exploitation andbetter economic returns fromunderutilized horticultural cropsemphasis should be given ondeveloping processing units inthis area. It would also provideemployment opportunities to therural folk.The yield and quality of thesecrops are poor which hamper theproductivity. Hence, special effortsare needed on the part ofthe research scientists to developthe suitable location specificpackage of practices of differenthorticultural crops including thedevelopment of superior varieties,and conservation of geneticsresources.Under-utilized horticulturalcrops are nutritionally rich andadapted to low input agriculture.More R & D efforts in these willadd substantially to food security.Limited number of speciesneeds to be targeted for detailedresearch and development inunder-utilized horticultural cropsby national programmes focusingon their conservation and use.Research needs to be geared upboth on species/crops importantfor subsistence farming and those21. Heikru Indian gooseberryPhyllanthus embilicaTreeAs Fruit andmedicinal plant22. Heimang Rhus semialata Tree As Fruit andmedicinal plant23. Heijaang Citrus medica Tree As Fruit24. Heining Hog plum Spondias pinnata Tree As Fruit andmedicinal plant25. Heinoujom Carambola Averrhoea carambolaTreeAs Fruit andmedicinal plant26. Heirangkhoi Amoora rohituka Tree As Fruit andmedicinal plant27. Heiribob Citrus macroptera Tree As spiceFakphai28. Heiri khagok Bael tree Aegle marmelos Tree As medicinalplant29. Heirit Ficus cunia Tree As Fruit30. Heithoom Citrus paradise Tree As FruitPage 8