PM Modi lauds CSIR-IHBT for apple cultivation in Manipur

Himachal Pradesh Economy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded the efforts of the CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, for helping farmers to cultivate apple in north-eastern states, particularly in Ukhrul district of Manipur, in the “Mann ki Baat” programme.
Dr Sanjay Kumar, Director, CSIR-IHBT, thanked the Prime Minister for appreciating the role of the institution. He said it was an ambitious project for which his institution had signed a memorandum of understanding with an NGO.
The CSIR-IHBT, Palampur, had supplied 40,000 plants for cultivation in Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.
The IHBT has developed a tissue culture-based virus-tested apple root stock technology, which is being used for grafting apple varieties. These were introduced in Manipur and other north-eastern states.
It supplied apple saplings, provided training to farmers in Manipur for cultivation and did continuous handholding.