INDIAN STATE : MANIPUR

Handloom and Handicraft Industries

Handloom sector remains an important source of income especially for womenfolk of the state. It provides maximum number of employment after agriculture. The main handloom products of Manipur are sarees, bed sheets, curtains, towels, tablecloth, fashion garments with intricate designs, scarves, pillow covers, woolen shawls among others.

Handicrafts of Manipur have a unique place among the various crafts of the country and have their won aesthetic and artistic value. Although handicrafts industry was originally started as a traditional part-time activity in rural areas without any significant market demand, it has been transformed into a flourishing industry over the years. Today the handicraft sector is not restricted to aesthetic and artistic value rather the incorporation of design and new ideas make these products daily utility items broadening the marketability as well as scope of handicraft products.

Among the crafts, cane and bamboo crafts is most wide spread throughout the state because of availability of abundant raw materials and demands from both domestic as well as international buyers. Bamboo production of Manipur is above ten lakh ton per annum. The number of artisans engaged in cane and bamboo craft is around 1.50 lakh. In view of the large raw material resources, number of trained/skilled artisans and entrepreneurs and a high market demand, there is ample scope for investment to set up more cane and bamboo enterprises in the state.

Kouna (water reed) craft also has huge potential for large-scale plantation, production and marketing. Kouna products also have both domestic and export demand. The demand is mainly from cities like Delhi and Mumbai within India and foreign countries like UK, Netherlands, Germany, France, UAE, Latin American Countries and Switzerland.

Horticulture

Gifted with suitable agro-climatic conditions, Manipur is home to various food and cash crops, fruits and vegetables. The soil is fertile and well suited for growing of different fruits and vegetables. Organic farming is the most sought after practice in the hilly areas of the state. In addition, pineapple, passion fruit and mushroom are cultivated commercially in the state.. Manipur has vast potential for commercial plantation of fruits like lemon, orange, pineapple, banana, passion fruit and amla. The quality of pineapple (both queen and kew varieties) is distinct with unique taste and flavour. The state government has given special impetus to farming for pineapple, passion fruit, mushroom, etc. on a massive scale.

Also, bamboo shoot and ginger are available in plenty and can be exploited commercially.

Schemes like technology mission for integrated development of horticulture with the objective improving production and productivity of horticultural crops by harnessing the potential of the region makes this field a viable option for commercialization as well as marketing.

Sericulture

Sericulture is a traditional industry of Manipur. The state's climatic conditions are favourable for this industry, although the prevailing production trend of silk in the state is around 230 MT per year. All the varieties of silk available in the world are produced in the state, viz., oak, tasar, eri, muga and mulberry silk. Manipur has vast reserves of natural oak. All types of the feed plants grow in the state luxuriantly. Eri silk has become the monopoly of Assam and Manipur. The present area coverage of muga silkworm rearing in the state is about 250 hectares.

Recently, vigorous efforts have been made to enhance the production of mulberry and eri silk production. These efforts have added a new dimension to Manipur's sericulture industry. The State Sericulture Department has starting implementing the Manipur Sericulture Project at an estimated cost of Rs. 490.59 crore with loan assistance from Japan Bank of International Cooperation.

Tourism

Manipur has tremendous potential in tourism industry, as it is a place of glorious history and rich and varied culture. It is also known as the "Switzerland of the east" owing to its serene natural beauty and exotic flora and fauna.

Manipur is a little paradise on earth and is home to rare species of flora and fauna with exotic scenery of fertile plains surrounded by green hills. One who makes overture at tourist adventures in this state will be greeted with virgin forests, cascading rivers, breathtaking hill landscapes, green clad vales and meandering streams.

Manipur also has a rich tradition of art and culture and is an emerging sports power. The tradition of games and sports dates back to history of small kingdoms, which were in keen competition with one another.

The state's enchanting landscape along with the various tourist attractions offers fairly excellent opportunity for developing different types of tourism.

Information Technology

Recognizing the vast potential of IT industry in the state, the Government of Manipur accords high priority to the electronics and information technology sector as a major thrust area of development. A special package of incentives is provided to facilitate competitive growth of the sector.

Manipur has ample manpower potential ideally suited for electronics and IT based industries. In view of the unpolluted and eco-friendly environment conditions and ever-growing qualitative work force, the state of Manipur is an ideal location for units of IT industry.

The Manipur Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. has been established as a public sector undertaking to fill up the gaps for development of electronics including information technology based industries in the State.