The Department of Horticulture & Soil Conservation, Government of Manipur, launched the Winter Vegetable Seed Distribution Programme under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme – Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH–HMNEH) for the year 2025–26 (1st installment) at the Departmental Farm, Khonghampat.
The programme aims to enhance productivity, sustainability, and food security across the state by supporting farmers with high-yield hybrid seed varieties suited for winter cultivation.
Programme Highlights and Dignitaries
The event was graced by Shri K. Debadutta Sharma, Director, Horticulture & Soil Conservation (H&SC); Shri Chungong Pamei, Mission Director, MIDH, H≻ and Shri Bikram Yumlembam, Officer-in-Charge, MIDH, H&SC.
District-level officers and Ex-Officio Project Officers from across Manipur attended the function to facilitate the formal distribution of seeds for onward delivery to registered beneficiaries.
In his address, Director K. Debadutta Sharma highlighted that the department’s focus this season is to improve productivity while ensuring the widespread availability of quality planting materials. He added that horticulture remains one of the most promising sectors for improving rural livelihoods and reducing dependency on imported vegetables during winter months.
Distribution and Crop Varieties
During the event, winter vegetable seeds were officially handed over to the Ex-Officio Project Officers, MIDH (District Officers), H&SC for onward distribution to selected farmers under CSS–MIDH 2025–26 (1st installment).
The distributed seed varieties include:
| Crop | Type/Variety |
|---|---|
| Garden Pea | Hybrid |
| Tomato | Hybrid |
| Onion | Hybrid |
| Knol-Khol | Improved Hybrid |
| Cabbage | Hybrid |
| Cauliflower | Hybrid |
These varieties were chosen for their climate adaptability, high yield potential, and market demand, ensuring that farmers can benefit from enhanced productivity and income stability.
Strengthening Food Security and Farmer Welfare
Mission Director Shri Chungong Pamei emphasized that the distribution is part of a larger mission to promote integrated and sustainable horticultural development in Manipur. He noted that the scheme under the CSS–MIDH framework continues to empower farmers through improved access to quality inputs, modern cultivation techniques, and market linkages.
“Our objective is not just to distribute seeds, but to create a cycle of productivity and self-reliance,” he said. “By adopting improved varieties and sustainable practices, Manipur’s farmers can ensure food availability and income growth even in challenging climatic conditions.”
The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s vision under Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), which focuses on holistic growth across the horticulture sector — from seed to market.
Looking Ahead
The Department plans to monitor crop performance and provide technical support to farmers through district officers. Additional installments and capacity-building sessions are scheduled later this season to ensure successful cultivation outcomes.
The Winter Vegetable Seed Distribution Programme represents a proactive step toward achieving the broader goal of sustainable agricultural transformation and food security in Manipur.