IMPHAL, Sept 15 - Patanjali Ayurved, has come forward to promote famous Manipur�s black rice in the global market. The FMCG firm has already made a strong footprint in the North-east market.
The assurance in this regard was given by Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna of Patanjali Ayurved during his maiden visit to Manipur on Thursday.
�There is also requirement of local branding of products like Manipur�s black rice which is beneficial for the health,� said Acharya, a close aide of yoga Guru, Baba Ramdev. He further added that Patanjali is ready to take all possible steps to promote black rice grown in the State.
Despite the abundance of natural products, the Manipur farmers are yet to get full benefits due to lack of proper market.
� Patanjali will help in taking the products of the State to the corners of the world and will fully cooperate in making the dreams of the Horticulture Department come true�, he said.
He further added that there is a need for discussion on how farmers can be given full dues for their cultivation.
Earlier Acharya Balkrishna led a delegate of the Patanjali group was accorded a grand welcome at the Imphal Airport.
State Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar, Additional Chief Secretary (Horticulture and Soil Conservation) Dr J Suresh Babu, Director K Kipgen of Horticulture and Soil Conservation department along with department officials and the Patanjali members attended the reception at the airport.
In a brief meet, Minister Th Shyamkumar appealed to the Patanjali team to help in promoting products of the State as there is no market.
Additional Chief Secretary Dr Suresh Babu said that the first priority will be given to the local products which can be processed in the State. In this context, he opined that the products which cannot be processed here can be taken to Patanjali and other nearest processing units.
However he said about 20-25% of perishable agricultural products are wasted due to lack of storage facility.
