The first Vegetable Festival 2026 was inaugurated today at Khoijuman Khullen Playground in Bishnupur district by Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam and highlighting the area’s significant contribution to vegetable production in Manipur.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the inaugural function, the Minister said Govindas Khoijuman accounts for 19.75 per cent of the state’s total vegetable production. Expressing optimism about the area’s agricultural potential, he said efforts would be made to increase its contribution to 25 per cent by next year, marking a rise of 5.25 percentage points.
The Minister Govindas Konthoujam informed that on October 24, he had invited three agricultural scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Baramati, Pune, for an interaction with farmers from Kawasiphai, Khoijuman, Nachou, Toubul and Potshangbam villages of Bishnupur district. The week-long interaction was aimed at providing scientific guidance and improving agricultural practices among farmers.
Emphasising the importance of a comprehensive State Agriculture Policy, he said effective implementation of such a policy would strengthen the local economy and ensure greater benefits for farmers.
He described the vegetable festival as an important initiative to showcase locally produced vegetables and provide farmers with a direct marketing platform to connect with consumers.
Highlighting infrastructure development, the Minister Govindas Konthoujam said cold storage facilities had been constructed at Kawasiphai, including facilities with a reported capacity of 5 metric tonnes. He also mentioned the development of separate storage chambers for vegetables and fish.
Expressing happiness over the organisation of the first-ever vegetable festival in the area, the Minister Govindas Konthoujam stressed the need to promote organic vegetable cultivation and sustainable agricultural practices to enhance production and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
The festival was organised by the Khoijuman Apunba Chaokhat Thourang Lup (KACTL). Around 54 stalls were open, while 5 were for the IDPs’ stalls.
The inaugural function was presided over by Irengbam Nalini Devi, MLA of Oinam Assembly Constituency, while Thongam Shanti Singh, MLA of Moirang Assembly Constituency, attended as the guest of honour.
Bishnupur Deputy Commissioner Pooja Elangbam, IAS; Thaithuilung Pamei, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Horticulture and Soil Conservation; and Heisnam Balkrishna Singh, IAS, Project Director of the Loktak Development Authority, were among those present at the inaugural function.