ECONOMIC BACKDROP OF MANIPUR

The backbone of Manipur is agriculture.

The majority of the Manipuris (as the people of Manipur are called) are involved in various allied activities connected with agriculture.

BASIC DATA ON AGRICULTURE IN MANIPUR

As much as 78% of the total working population of Manipur is engaged in agricultural and allied activities.

Interestingly enough, only 9.41 per cent of the total area of Manipur is ideal for cultivation. Moreover, 52 per cent of this arable land is located in the valley area of Manipur.

Almost 67 per cent of the residents of the valleys are involved in agriculture and allied activities.

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCES OF MANIPUR

The primary produces of Manipur valley are vegetables like pumpkin, carrot, cabbage, cauliflower, peas and tomato.

Manipur also grows fruits like papaya, banana, lemon, pineapple, plum, and oranges.

Oilseeds and spices are also cultivated. Mention may be made of oil seed plants like sunflower, groundnut, mustard, and soya beans.

The spices cultivated in Manipur include turmeric and ginger.
 
Besides, Manipur also produces wheat, paddy, maize and different types of pulses.

AGRICULTURAL METHODS IN MANIPUR

The method of agriculture is semi-modern.

The state government is initiating steps to galvanize the public to adopt the modern means of agriculture.

Towards this end, the state agriculture and horticultural directorates are involving the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the youth as well as the women force.

Various technical training and practical workshops are being organized. The Manipur peasants are also offered loans on easy terms.

These combined regular efforts are bearing fruits.  The common mass of Manipur is slowly but surely embracing the modern techniques in not only agriculture but also horticulture and other similar activities.

The agricultural activities are carried out in the valley areas of Manipur. Some of the Manipuris also carry out cultivation of cash crops.

HORTICULTURE, DAIRY, HANDLOOM & HANDICRAFTS SECTORS OF MANIPUR

After agriculture, a large number of the population of Manipur carries out different entrepreneurial activities. These are on small-scale as well as medium-scale basis.

Mention may be made of the horticultural and dairy farming besides pisciculture, piggery, poultry and weaving as well as handloom and handicrafts endeavors.

In fact, the handicrafts and handloom products of Manipur have carved a niche for themselves in the global market.

The primary handloom products of Manipur are fashion garments with intricate indigenous designs, sarees, curtains, bed sheets, towels, table cloth, pillow covers, woolen shawls and scarves among others.

Among the handicrafts are the cane and bamboo products.

A SIGNIFICANT TREND AMONG THE YOUNG WOMENFOLK OF MANIPUR

The women are gaining economic empowerment primarily through the handloom sector besides other business activities.

A significant trend among the young womenfolk of Manipur has been noticed of late.

Many of the educated young girls of Manipur are taking to the paramedical courses in a serious manner. They are also getting employment in the BPO and the hospitality sectors.

Many multinational companies (MNCs) look forward to these candidates from Manipur to give employment.

This is shift from the earlier trend when most of the womenfolk in the working age group seeking entrepreneurship or mercantile activities.

Still many women in the rural areas are involved in the handloom sector. In fact, the handloom sector is turning out to be a major employment generating sector in Manipur.

The handloom sector is becoming a source of livelihood for the illiterate and semi-literate womenfolk in Manipur.

The handloom, cane and bamboo products are known for their artistic and aesthetic values across the globe. Many of these produces are exported. As a result, the handloom and handicrafts sector is a prime source of revenue for the state government.

A MULTI-PRONGED STRATEGY

The state government has been able to utilize this strategy in a multi-pronged manner.

On one hand, it has been able to use the human resources in a gainful manner.

On the other hand, it is creating a pool of entrepreneurs from among the youths – both educated and uneducated.

The third way in which the strategy is delivering the goods is that unemployment is being arrested to a great extent.

These entrepreneurs are also giving sustenance to other youth in their areas of activities.

The average youth is also realizing the futility of fruitlessly running from pillar to post for white collar and blue collar jobs. Instead of becoming frustrated, the young blood is now getting alternative employment avenues where they can stand on their own feet.

MEIRA PEIBIS: A TRADITIONAL PILLAR OF POWER OF MANIPUR

The women force in Manipur constitutes a very potential force to be reckoned with.

These organizations are known as the – the ‘Meira Peibis’ or the torch bearers of the society. The nomenclature is believed to have emanated from the typical manner in which the members of the Meira Peibis carry out their movements or protests. They carry torches made of bamboo and hay or cloth which are burned during the nighttime. These torches portray the light of the society.

Since the ages, the womenfolk of Manipur have been having these organizations of their own.

These organizations constitute a potent power block.

The state government has been able to involve the women force and their traditional organizations to bring about a socio-economic and political revolution within the society.

MOREH: A MEETING POINT OF CROSS-BORDR MERCANTILE ACTIVITIES

Many of the Manipuris are involved in cross-border business.

The town of Moreh is a buzzing significant township on the Indian side of the Indo-Myanmar border. In fact, Moreh is a tourist destination spot.

You can go for the many IT and electronic items imported from Myanmar and China besides the local handicrafts and handloom products and cuisines having their typical indigenous flavor.

CANE & BAMBOO SECTOR: A MAJOR EMPLOYMENT GENERATION UNIT

According to the 1991 census, more than two lakh artisans are engaged in the bamboo and cane sector.

Bamboo is an exotic species of grass in Manipur.

The forest reserves of Manipur produce more than 10 lakh tonne of bamboo.