Landscape Gardening

Landscape gardening is an aesthetic branch of Horticulture which deals with planting of ornamental plants in such a way that it creates a picturesque effect. It is a very fascinating and interesting subject. There are several definitions and expressions to define this subject. According to Chambers’ dictionary, the definition of landscape is the appearance of that portion of land which the eye can view at once and landscape gardening is the art of laying grounds so as to produce the effect of a picturesque landscape. Landscape gardening can be defined as the decoration of a tract of land with plants and other garden materials so as to produce a picturesque and naturalistic effect in a limited space. So landscape may or may not include plants. According to Bailey, Landscape gardening is the application of garden forms, methods and materials to the improvements of the landscape and the landscape in this connection is any area large or small on which it is desirable to develop a view or design.

Landscape gardening can also be defined as the beautification of a tract of land having a house or other object of interest on it. It is done with a view to create a natural scene by the planting of lawn, trees and shrubs. Landscape gardening is both an art and science of the establishment of a ground in such a way that it gives an effect of a natural landscape. It can be also defined as the imitation of nature in the garden. It can also be defined as improving of total living environment for the people. The expression of landscape may be gay, bold, retired, quiet, etc. This expression will conform to the place and the purpose. It should be a picture and not a collection of interesting objects.

Since the landscape gardening is the making pictures on the ground with plant and other material, landscape designer should be proficient in art, ornamental gardening, ecology and physiology. He should be an architect and engineer to appreciate the relationship between plant form, colours and buildings.

Natural Elements of Landscape

Different types of landscape depending upon prevailing geographical and agroclimatic conditions characterize Earth. There are mountains, hills, glens, valleys, seas, rivers, forests, plains, deserts, lakes, swamps, streams, etc. which comprise major part of natural landscape. At certain points, there is harmony between natural elements like ground forms, vegetation and even animal life. The landscape of such place is beautiful and conveys the feeling or mood of the landscape character like exhilaration, sadness, ceriness or awe. There are many qualities of natural landscape beauty like the picturesque; the ethereal, the serene, the delicate, the idyllic, the graceful, the majestic, the bold etc.

Man has copied the natural elements for improving landscape around him and converted certain areas in the form of garden for his pleasure.

Landscaping Principles

General principles of landscaping are as follows:

The ideal landscape garden is like ideal landscape painting which expresses some single thought or feelings. Its expression may be gay, bold, retired, quiet, etc.

Beauty and utility should be harmoniously combined.

Area should be divided into different parts and plan should be conceived for each area. Overall plan should be such that the observer catches the entire effect and purpose of the plan without stopping to analyse its parts.

Simplicity of design should be aimed at in the execution of the plan.

An ideal landscape should have open space.

Let the garden and building merge into each other. There should not be stopping abruptly particularly in front of building. The view of garden from the windows and doors should be very attractive. Planting around the building, climbers against wall and on the porch, decoration of verandah and rooms with attractive foliage, flowering plants, hanging baskets serve to unique the building with garden. Every part of the compound should be planned in such a way that it gives surprising effect to visitor.

Over crowding of plants and objects should be avoided.

Factors affecting the landscape design

There are several factors which affect the making of suitable design for particular site. These factors are:

Human choice: Man’s ultimate desire is to make his living pleasurable and surroundings confortable. His dominance in making designs and selection of plant material is very well evident. Therefore, different styles of gardening have come into existence.

Site: This is an important factor and according to site, suitable design is made. In formal style gardening, the site is selected according to plan. Topography of the site also affects the design.

Views: Distant views of mountains, hills, woods, valley, etc. are preferred from the place of garden.

Heritage: One inherits the knowledge of botany and aesthetic sense and uses accordingly. Our rich heritage teaches us to use flowers and fragrant trees to improve the surroundings.

Climate: The climate of particular place affects the selection of plant material accordingly. Ideally suited plant material according to climate should be selected.

Soil: According to characteristics of soil types, suitable plants should be selected.

Garden styles

Garden styles have been changed from time to time with the new ideas and necessities. Broadly, the styles of gardening are grouped into three categories i.e. (I) Formal style, (ii) Informal style and (iii) Free style of gardening

(I) Formal style: Main features of this style of gardening are: First plan is made on the paper and then land is selected accordingly. Plan is symmetrical. These types of gardens are of geometric design i.e. squarish or rectangular. Therefore, the roads are cut at right angle. It has some sort of enclosure. Flower beds are also of geometric shapes. The arrangements of tree and shrubs are necessarily geometrical and kept in shape by trimming and training. Other features like fountains, water pools, cascades, etc. are used for further attraction. The examples of such style of gardening are Persian gardens and Mogul gardens.

(II) Informal Style: This style reflects naturalistic effect of total view and represents natural beauty. This style is just contrast of above formal style. In this, plan is asymmetrical and according to the land available for making garden. Roads, paths are made curvaceous and bending. Water bodies are made of irregular shapes. Hillocks are made to create natural mountainous scenery. Flower beds are made of irregular shapes suiting to surroundings. Plants are allowed to grow in natural form and instead of trimming, annual pruning is done. Japanese gardens are the best example of this style of gardening.

(III) Free style of gardening: This style combines the good points of both formal and informal style of gardening. Rose garden of Ludhiana is an example of this style of gardening.

Art principles of landscape

Landscaping is making of pictures with plant material and, hence, its principles are same as those of art. They are as follows:

Rhythm

Repetition of same object at equidistance is called rhythm. It can be created through the shapes, progression of sizes or a continuous line movement, rhythm creates movement to the eye. In gardens, generally trees of single species of equal height and shape are planted to create this effect. In Mogul gardens, fountains and water canals have also been extensively used to create such effect. Now-a-days other objects like lights are also used to create the effect of rhythm.

Balance

It is very important to maintain the balance on both sides of the central line. The principle involved in making balance of see-saw game can help in understanding this. Equal weights can be balanced only when they are equidistant from the centre. If weights are unequal, the heavier must move towards centre for making balance. The balance may be formal, informal or symmetrical types. Imbalance will look lopsided and will distract the attention. In making the balance with the plants, their form, colour, texture etc. are kept in view.

Accent or emphasis

The accent or emphasis is created in the gardens to avoid the monotonous view. It is the method to stress the most important thing. This also serves as the centre of attraction. Mostly unusual objects like tall fountain, tree, statue etc. are used to create the effect of accent or emphasis. In English gardens, statues have been used extensively to create such effects.

Contrast:

This principle is most useful in emphasising the best features of an object. It can be very easily understood by following contrast colour theory. Against green background, a fleck of scarlet colour will make a contrast and will make scarlet colour prominent. In nature this is very common. Other contrast colour can also be used. Similarly, weeping growth habit against upright growth, dwarf against tall, rough texture against soft texture etc, are some of the examples which can be followed. It is also very important that one of the two contrasting objects must clearly dominate each other. In this way, one becomes feature whereas other acts as supporting background. The contrasting elements of equal power may create visual tensions.

Proportion

It is the relation of one thing to another in magnitude. When two or more objects are put together the proportions are established. In a landscape design, space provided for lawn, paths, herbaceous borders, shrubbery border, trees, buildings and other garden objects should be in a right proportion. It will create harmonious effect and look better. Such effects can be noticed in Persian and Mogul gardens. Out of proportion allotment of area in garden will distract the attention. Proportion helps in space organization.

Harmony

It is an overall effect of various features, styles, and colour schemes of the total scene. The degree of harmony or unity of various elements of landscape is a measure induced in us and is called as beauty. Therefore, the beauty can be defined as the evident relationship of all parts of a thing observed. When different parts of landscape are correctly placed in right way, produces a harmonious effect. Such landscapes create picturesque effect and appeals to visitors. On the contrary, the absence of harmony or lack of unity is ugliness.

Some important Landscape Gardening terms

Axis: It is an imaginary line, which divides garden into two parts. This also connects two or more points. It is presented in the form of a path, line of fountains or trees, etc. If this axis divides garden into two equal parts, it is called central axis. In formal style, axis is central whereas in informal style, it is oblique. This axis controls the movement in the garden from the entrance to the terminal. An axis in garden is directional, orderly or dominating.

Symmetrical plan: In this plan, the different objects are in equilibrium about a central point or on either side of an axis. Symmetrical plan or formal plan is synonymous of beauty and is pleasant and handsome. This is because the symmetry is to be associated with plan clarity, rhythm, balance, unity, etc. Symmetrical plan being precise and disciplined, it requires precision in detail and maintenance and bold in concept.

Dynamic Symmetry: In such symmetrical plan, each pole generates its own magnetic field and between these two fields there is a field of dynamic tension.

Asymmetrical Plan: In such plans, there is absence of symmetry on both the sides of axis but balance, unity and harmony are maintained.

Circulation in Landscaping: In landscape gardening it means a pathway from entrance to terminal point. Circulation varies with the style of gardening and topography. The more of circulation patterns, it has more points of views and attraction. Common circulation patterns are depicted.

Vista: It is a three dimensional confined view of terminal building or dominant element of feature. It may be natural or man-made. Natural vistas are very common around the lofty mountains and snowy peaks. Overall effect of vista may be of its characteristics. It may be calm or induce motion. There are three different parts of a vista viz.

It should be subject to a close control.

It should have a viewing station to see object or objects.

It should have intermediate ground. These three should be satisfactorily united and thus result into an effect of totality.

The floriculture industry

The floriculture industry comprises of:

The florist trade of traditional and contemporary cut flowers and cut foilage, both fresh and dried and value-added products like bouquets, floral baskets, flower arrangements and garlands.

The plant nursery for propagation and supply of plant material including tissue culture plants, seeds, bulbs, corms and other propagated material.

Plant rental service for supply of house plants on annual rent for a specific period.

Flower perfume and gulkand.

The area under flower crops is around 53,000 acre. Of the total area more than half is under traditional crops jasmine, scented rose, small flowered chrysanthemum, tuberose, crossandra and aster. The annual growth rate of domestic trade in floriculture products is estimated to be 15-20%.

Consumption of flowers in the southern States is much higher than in the northern States. During the last few years there has been drastic change in flower trade of modern flowers in Bombay, Pune, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow and Calcutta.

A major growth, of course, has been in the production of cut flowers for exports. More than 150 export-oriented units (EQUs) have been approved by the Government and are coming up in different parts of the country, particularly around Pune, Chandigarh, Bangalore, Delhi and Hyderabad. Some of them have started in full production and have started exporting their products. A majority of these are being set up with the collaboration of foreign technology and infrastructural support. A modest estimate of investment made in this sector is around Rs.1,500 crores so far, of which Rs.55 crores is in foreign investment (as up to June 1995). All this growth is a recent phenomenon following introduction of economic liberalisation in 1991, which makes the growth look quite significant.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN MANIPUR

Agro and Food Processing

Introduction:

Government of Manipur is looking forward to explore the resources available towards the development of Food Processing Industries in the state as Food Processing Sector plays a significant supportive role in diversification and commercialisation of Agriculture, Horticulture, Fisheries, Poultry, Animal husbandry and Forest, improving value addition in the agricultural produce, employment generation and providing income and production of agro-food products for export.Prospective mobilisation of this sector is mainly concerned with the raw material resources and its potential for future expansion, improvement of infrastructure, investment ability and up-gradation of technology.

Agro-Horticulture:
Agriculture plays a vital role as it is the main backbone of the State economy till today. The agriculture is mainly dependent on monsoon however around 28.49% of area under cultivation is irrigated by Canals. Moreover with a range of natural conditions and varied soil and topography, the state produces sizeable quantity of Paddy, Wheat, Maize, Pulses, Oilseeds such as Mustard, groundnut, Soyabeans, Sunflower, Ginger, Turmeric and Fruits like Pineapple, Lime/Lemon, Banana, Orange, Papaya, Plum and vegetables like, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Tomato, Pea, Squash, Carrot, Pumpkin, etc. The existing area under fruits and vegetable crop is about 1.08% of the total geographical area and with such suitable agro-climatic conditions, the state still has lots of potential areas on the foot hills, mild hill slopes and along the river banks.

Agriculture:
The existing area under cultivation of different crops in Manipur is 2,85,000 hectares as against the available potential area of 3,25,500 hectares.Rice, wheat, maize, oil seeds, potato and sugarcane etc. are the main crops in the State. Among these crops, cultivation of paddy is the largest both in the plains and hills, and covers 82% of the total cultivated area. Among the variety of rice, there are two varieties of rice locally named as “CHAK-HAO POIREITON” having its natural colour (dark violet) and a distinct flavour and “CHAK-HAO” having its natural white colour, scent and distinctive flavour. Next to paddy, maize is the second largest cultivated crop.It occupies about 40% of the gross cropped area and grown mainly in the hills. Area and production of different crops are given below:

Sl Crops 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01

Area Production Area Production Area Production

‘000 ha. ‘000 MT ‘000 ha. ‘000 MT ‘000 ha. ‘000 MT

1. Paddy 211.50 397.66 126.49 353.99 212.39 477.21
2. Wheat 0.45 0.68 0.75 1.00 1.00 1.03
3. Maize 16.50 29.60 13.84 24.88 16.50 33.16
4. Pulses 16.37 13.10 21.50 14.87 22.20 16.45
5. Oilseeds 15.11 9.26 20.33 13.90 22.75 15.21
6. Potato 3.88 22.99 7.30 68.50 7.52 62.04
7. Sugarcane 4.00 240.00 3.00 180.00 3.10 185.00
Source: Department of Agriculture, Government of Manipur.

Horticulture:
Manipur has vast potential for commercial plantation of citrus fruits like lemon, lime, orange, grapes etc. and Pineapple, Banana, Passion fruit, temperate fruits and locally available fruits (amla, olive, figs, mandrine and Heirukokthong etc.). The quality of the pineapple (Q-variety) so available in Manipur has distinctive taste and flavour. So far, identified potential area is estimated at 2,77,000 Hectares. Out of this about 24,000 Hectares are covered under different crops. Area and production in respect of some of the fruits in the State are given below:
Sl. Crops 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02

Area Prodn Area Prodn Area Prodn
‘000 ha. ‘000 MT ‘000 ha. ‘000 MT ‘000 ha. ‘000 MT
A. FRUITS
1. Pineapple 10.00 68.97 10.02 69.14 10.08 69.43
Banana 1.63 12.93 1.65 13.01 1.66 13.11
Papaya 1.87 10.29 1.87 10.31 1.89 10.24
Orange 0.90 3.68 0.93 3.70 0.94 3.76
Mango 0.18 0.94 0.19 0.95 0.20 1.10
Pear/peach 0.62 4.03 0.35 4.11 0.64 3.86
Guava 0.71 2.41 0.72 2.46 0.73 2.48
Lemon 1.10 5.07 1.13 5.14 1.13 5.17
Jack fruits 0.29 1.14 0.29 1.16 0.30 1.20
Others 7.27 8.67 7.30 8.67 7.30 8.81
B. VEGETABLES
Cauliflower 1.00 10.00 1.01 10.10 1.01 10.10
Cabbage 1.30 15.60 1.32 15.84 1.32 15.84
Tomato 0.50 4.08 0.50 4.12 0.51 4.16
Pea 1.00 5.76 1.01 5.81 1.01 5.82
Radish 0.23 2.30 0.23 2.30 0.23 2.35
Carrot 0.28 2.04 0.28 2.03 0.28 2.07
French Bean 0.60 1.83 0.61 1.86 0.62 1.89
Bhindi 0.70 2.31 0.71 2.34 0.72 2.38
Brinjal 0.31 1.60 0.31 1.63 0.32 1.65
Knol-khol 0.29 1.50 0.29 1.50 0.29 1.50
Others 0.31 0.87 0.31 0.88 0.32 0.89
C. SPICES
Chilli 7.01 22.78 7.01 22.78 7.03 23.06
Ginger 1.10 11.00 1.10 11.00 1.11 11.14
Onion 0.52 5.20 0.53 5.30 0.54 5.43
Turmeric 0.31 3.72 0.32 3.78 0.32 3.78
Source : Horticulture Department, Government of Manipur .

Mushrooms:
A new thrust area is cultivation of mushrooms. In the world scenario, it is generally seen that countries with a weak economy tended towards the mushroom industries for export since mushrooms provide “hard” currencies. Mushrooms also have a low gestation period ensuring fast returns in terms of income and realisation of investments. In India during the past few years with the liberalisation of foreign investments, it has been seen that an increasing number of multinational institutions have voiced their willingness to invest in mushroom production units in the country with 100% export oriented units. There is, thus vast scope for commercial cultivation of mushrooms in India and specially in the North-East which offers ideal weather conditions for mushroom cultivation.
The State is having favourable climatic conditions for growing mushrooms. Wild varieties of mushrooms grow abundantly and some of such mushrooms are edible. Pleurotus and Agaricus mushroom varieties can be grown throughout the year in this State. Similarly other varieties such as, Auricularia Auricula (UCHINA), Schizphyllum commune (KANGLAYEN), Letimula edodes (THANGJIYEN), Volvariella SPP (CHARUYEN), etc. can also be cultivated. Substrate for cultivation of mushrooms are available locally except few chemicals that are to be procured from other states. Few varieties, which can be cultivated at normal conditions are given below:
Varieties Season
i) Agaricus bisporus (Button Mushrooms) December - March
ii) Agaricus bitorquis February - April/August-October
iii) Pleurotus Flabellatus April - July
iv) Pleurotus Sajor - Caju August - November
Pleurotus Ostreatus December - March
Dr C. O. Rangad, Ph,D. And M/s Gee Gee (Foods and packaging) Co. (P) Ltd., New Delhi had prepared a techno-economic feasibility report for the establishment of a “pilot project on Mushroom Cultivation” at Mao in Senapati District by Manipur Tribal Development Corporation Ltd. (MTDC). As per the said report, Agaricus species (Button Mushrooms) are suitable for cultivation as Button Mushrooms grow well at low temperature (i.e. 18 C to 20 C). In this regard, Horticulture Department, Government of Manipur has been encouraging local farmers to cultivate mushrooms. It is one of the important growth areas.
Tea:
Tea grows wild in this State since time immemorial. However, plantation of tea for commercial production has been started from the year 1981-82 by Manipur Plantation Crops Corporation Limited in Jiribam.
The targeted project area of tea plantation is 425 ha. out of which till the end of 1996 a substantive area of 260 ha. has already been covered. The yield of green tea leaf since inception upto 30th June, 1997 was 200 M.T. approx. A target of 500 M.T. of green tea leaf is attempted during the current year. As there is no suitable alternative at present, green tea leaf are sold to the Jirighat Tea Estate, Cachar, Assam @ Rs. 5 Kg. (ex factory). The Corporation has collected a revenue of Rs. 10 lakhs upto the end of June, 1997. Considering the increasing trend of yield and productivity and also to arrest unremunerative income from sale of green tea leaf, a modern tea factory is being installed at Manipur Tea Estate, Jiribam.
Bamboo and Bamboo Shoots:
Bamboo although not cultivated systematically, grow in wild abundantly along the low altitude hill areas where the rainfall is high. The major species of bamboo which are available in the bamboo forest are given below:-
Sl.No. Botanical Name Local Name
1. Bambusa arundinacea SANEIBI
2. Bambusa pallida KAL SUNDI
3. Dendrocalamus giganteus MEIRIBOB
4. Dendrocalamus hamiltonii WANAP/UNAP/PECHA
5. Melocana bambusoides MOUBI/MULI
6. Teinostachya dulooa DULU
7. Bambusa tulda UTANG
About 3,218 sq. Kms. area are covered with bamboo forest mainly by Melocana bambusoides sp. (Muli) in the reserved, protected and unclassed forest. The Forest Department, Government of Manipur has carried out survey of bamboo stock and growing stock of bamboo to determine the average yield per annum, as given below:
Sl. No Name of Block Geographical area (sq. kms.) Total Bamboo area (sq. kms.) Qty. Of bamboo in lakh tonnes Annual yield calculated on growing stick (in lakh tonnes)
1. Thanlon 1238.40 387.00 10.14 1.69
2. Henglep 637.26 206.08 4.63 0.77
3. Nungba 1465.44 278.14 13.89 2.28
4. Tipaimukh 789.48 278.64 7.92 1.32
5. Jiribam 309.60 36.12 0.70 0.12
6. Tamenglong 1083.60 283.80 5.09 0.85
Total: 5523.78 1470.28 42.37 7.03

Source: Forest Department, Manipur
The available resources of bamboo and bamboo shoots are yet to be commercially utilised fully in Manipur. It is mainly consumed at present in the construction of houses, mat and baskets etc. About 20-30 MT of bamboo shoots are consumed annually for the production of canned bamboo shoots. Keeping in view the existing resources and its utilisation, there is still a good scope for commercial utilisation of bamboo in the following sectors:
Food Processing Sector:
The average food value of bamboo shoot is given below:
Moisture 88.80 %
Protein 3.90 %
Fat 0.50%
Minerals 1.10%
Carbohydrates 5.70%
Calorific value 43.00 Kcal.
With the high moisture content, Bamboo shoots can be processed into the following products:
a) Canned Bamboo shoots:
i) In brine
ii) In curried vegetable
iii) In syrups
b) Bamboo shoot candies
c) Bamboo shoot chutney
d) Bamboo shoot sweet pickles
e) Fermented bamboo shoots (Locally named as Soibum and Soidon)
f) Bamboo shoot powder
There is a good demand of the above bamboo shoot products (orient food) in the local and export markets, specially, in countries namely Japan, Singapore, China, Thailand, Hongkong and U.K. etc. It is one of the prospective areas for investment.
Rubber:
Rubber Plantation under Forest Department, Manipur started in 1977-78 in Jiribam area covering about 938 Ha.
Potential Area: Jiribam area is, in fact, a non-traditional area for the Rubber Crop. However, due to prevalence of optimum climate, edaphic conditions required for successful growth of the crop, Jiribam has got good potential for undertaking plantation of rubber in a large commercial scale. Besides, there is a good transport facility to connect the area with good markets of Rubber Crop.
The outlying areas of Jiribam town are quite good potential areas for growing rubber trees. Plantations in a large scale can be taken up in areas on both the sides of Man Bahadur Road as far as Choudhurikhal. Special targets to utilise abandoned jhum areas in a productive manner by way of rubber plantation can be set and achieved. Higher the investment, higher would be the financial returns.
Production: So far, a total of 15,000 nos. of Rubber trees are put under tapping under half spiral alternate daily system (1/2 s d/2 system). All the mature areas are not put under tapping because of many factors such as non-availability of mature and tappable trees at regular spacing. The production of raw rubber is maximum during the dry season in Jiribam (Sept. to January).
Scope for future cultivation: There is quite a good scope for cultivation of rubber in Jiribam area. In general,rubber trees can be put under tapping after 7 years of plantation and the financial returns would outpace the investment once tapping/production of raw rubber commences. As per Rubber Board Index expenditure norm, around Rs. 40,000/- per Ha. is the expenditure upto 7th Year of plantation and taking an average yield of 1000 kg of raw rubber per Ha. and market price (conservative figure) of RS. 40/- per kg, the return would be to the tune of Rs. 40,000/- per Ha. In other words, the investment made during the first 6-7 years may be said to have been recovered in the first year of tapping & production. Since rubber trees can be put under effective tapping for 25-30 years, the total return per Ha would be quite high.
Soil, Rainfall, etc.: Rubber trees required deep & well drained soil of lateritic type. It also requires humid, equable climate (21 to 35oC) and fairly well distributed annual rainfall of 200 cm for optimum growth.
Rubber Plantation in brief (success story): Rubber Plantation in Jiribam was taken up by Forest Department with the following objectives:
a) To generate employment.
b) To put abandoned jhum/degraded land under productive use.
c) To demonstrate a viable alternative to shifting cultivation.
d) To open avenue for new rubber based industrial ventures and,
e) To earn revenue.
Rubber plantation related activities provided immense benefit to nearby people in particular to the people of Uchathol, Harinagar, Khasia, Jarolpokpi, Boiroikhal, Sabughat, Aglapur, etc. Even now also, quite a number of people from these areas are getting employment either in plantation works or in raw rubber production works. Besides, many abandoned jhum/degraded lands have been put under productive use and the viability of rubber plantation has been shown. With production of raw rubber, rubber-based industries can be set up to uplift the economy of the people.
Rubber plantation is also environment-friendly. With the nearby people fully aware of the economic benefits specially in the form of assured employment, there is a bright prospect of rubber plantation in Jiribam area. The only thing is that the people need to be involved in a committed manner. The economic lot of the people can be uplifted in a marked way by undertaking rubber plantation.
Identification of Feasible Industrial Projects in Manipur:
On the basis of the various agro-horticultural resources available in Manipur, the North Eastern Industrial consultants (NECON) had identified the following feasible Food Processing Industries based on the locally available raw materials:
Sl. Projects for Input raw materials
1. Fruit Juice concentration Pineapple, Orange, Lemon
2. Pectin and allied citrus products Peels of Orange, Lemon
3. Consumers pack of fruit juice Any fruit juice
4 Tomato Paste Tomato
5. Banana/Guava pulp Banana, Guava
6. Pineapple slices, canned fruits, Pear, Peach, Plum, fresh pack Pear, Peach, Plum, Pineapple, Orange
7. Potato Chips Potato
8. Papain (Papaya) Papaya
9. Modern Rice Mill Paddy
10. Ginger oil extraction Ginger
11. Mushroom cultivation cum processing Mushroom
12. Preservation and canning of bamboo shoots Bamboo shoots
13. Dry Fish Fermentation Dry Fish (To be imported from neighbouring States like Assam)
Market Potential
The disadvantageous geographical situation and severity of the terrain have been standing in the way of industrial development and trade particularly of the Food Processing Industries which can thrive only through value addition and cost efficiency. It is high time to explore this untapped sector as processed fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, ginger, spices and rice etc. are having good demand in the local and export market. At present, many of such processed fruits and vegetables are imported to this State from other States and neighbouring countries through Myanmar. At the same time some of the units in this sector have been established and are being run successfully, catering to the local demand. This indicates existing potential available in this sector.
Sl. No Processing Unit Sector Type Capacity MT/annum Type of products
1. MAGFRUIT Hort. & Soil Conservation, Govt of Manipur SSI Unit 240 Canned fruits and vegetables, fruit syrups, pickles, jam jellies, RTS (Lime-ginger) cordials, squashes, candies, etc
2. HEIRANG Co-operative -do- 240 -do-
3. WAIFRU N.G.O. -do- 240 -do-
4. RATNA FRUITS PRIVATE Cottage Scale 50 Squashes, jam
5. LIKLA -do- -do- 50 Squashes, RTS, jam, jelly(Fruit based)
6. SANA -do- -do- 50 Squashes, pickle, jelly, jam
7. MANIFRU -do- -do- 50 -do-
8. HILL FRUITS -do- -do- 50 Squashes, jam, etc.
The most striking area is the production of pineapple (Kew-variety), having special taste and flavour. There has been demand of such pineapple products from MAGFRUIT by the C.I.S. countries. The MAGFRUIT had exported 168 MT of canned pineapple products to the erstwhile U.S.S.R. from the year 1983-84 to 1985-86. As the units are in the SSI and the cottage scale sectors, they are often in a disadvantageous condition for continuous tapping of such export markets. Moreover, these units are hardly kept in operation due to various constraints like inadequate working capital, non-availability of quality control system as well as inability to link up with the big marketing agencies in the cosmopolitan cities like Calcutta, Chennai, Delhi , Mumbai ,etc. Once the sufficient production of such processed fruits and vegetables is made (with strict maintenance or quality, packaging and reasonable price), there is a big marketing potential not only in the local market, but also in major cities of our country and even export to the countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Dubai, Singapore, Nepal, Bangladesh, U.S.A., Germany, etc. Setting up of the identified projects based on modern technology and in the medium/large scale sector are most essential for the development of food processing industries in the State.
Proposed Projects:
Out of identified projects in the aforesaid paras, the following projects are proposed to be set up in the State:
Sl. No. Proposed project Production Capacity Estimated project cost
1. Fruits & vegetables Processing 80 MT/day Rs. 405.00 lakhs
2. Ginger dehydration and Oleoresin 33 MT/day Rs. 750.00 lakhs
3. Spices processing plant 5 MT/day Rs. 284.00 lakhs
4. Integrated Mushroom processing Plant 15 MT/day Rs. 330.00 lakhs
5. Lime Ginger(RTS) Plant 100 lakh bottles of 200 ml. per annum Rs. 318.14 lakhs
6. Agri Export Zone for Passion Fruit 2 MT/Hour Rs.2,784.00 lakhs
7. Manipuri Traditional liquor Plant (Distillery) 9 lakhs lt./annum Rs. 1,768.87 lakhs
8. Integrated Pineapple Concentration Plant 50 MT/day Rs. 9,005.00 lakhs
9. Floriculture Rs. 285.92 lakhs
10. Custom Farming 1,000 Ha. Rs. 377.00 lakhs

Total Rs16,307.93 lakhs



COURTESY MANIPUR GOVERNMENT
COMPILED BY
DEVASHISH
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR
TISS, MUMBAI

LITCHI AND BANANA PROCESSING

Litchi Processing

At around 2 lac MT of production, Bihar accounts for almost 75 % of
national production of this delicious fruit.Most sought after produce of the State in both national and international market, Lithci offers an unparalleled range of processing opportunities.
This highly perishable fruit requires a specific climate and soil condition,found in the area around Muzaffarpur district which remains focal point of litchi production in the country.
The Brand “ Muzaffarpur Litchi” commands a special respect in the fresh as well as processed fruit segments.

Banana ripening and processing

Around 10 lac MT of Banana produced over 28 thousand Ha of land.Two major production clusters, around Bhagalpur and Vaishali, account for almost 50 % of state production. With hub at Naugachia, Bhagalpur region produces more than 2 Lac MT of Hari Chaal and Robusta
varieties. The second cluster around Vaishali region produces more than 2.5 Lac MT of Muthia and Chinia varieties. Banana offers significant opportunities for both fresh and processed
food market. There are opportunities of setting up modern ripening chambers for catering to premium national and international market.There may also be scope for processing units for making Pulp, baby food, banana fibre, packing material, banana flower vegetables(Ready
to eat), banana trunk vegetables & pickles. Processed Banana is picking up fast with the South Indian market.

New markets are emerging in the gulf countries and middle east.Limited period of harvesting season and high perishability of litchi makes it imperative for all litchi processors to have their facilities near to production centres in the State which are also well connected to major markets over the years. .Litchi is amenable to processing of various levels and entrepreneurs may choose to set up Units for Pulp, juice, nectar, beverage, jam, jelly, pulp slabs, etc. In terms of diversification, Banana Fiber (trunk and leaves) has a scope as well as a good market as one of the diversified textile fibres. Naugachia, being a district in the near vicinity of Bhagalpur ( textile hub of Bihar) has an added advantage for setting up fibre extraction and yarning units, over and above food processing.