Tree bean (Yongchak) farmer seeks Govt aid

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 22: A farmer has appealed to the Government and the department concerned to provide necessary aid and inputs in his endeavour to plant tree beans on commercial scale.
Working in collaboration with his brother-in-law Salungpao (Alex) Abonmai, Samurailatpam Bipin Sharma of Khongman Mangjil has planted over 3000 tree beans at Khundong Khunkhaiba village of Tamei sub-division, Tamenglong district.
Talking to The Sangai Express, Bipin said that they planted more than 3000 tree beans over 13 hectares and many of these plants have matured.
He said that they first planted 1000 saplings of tree beans in 2019, followed by 650 saplings in 2020 and more than 2000 saplings in 2021.
Bipin informed that some of these tree bean varieties were imported from Myanmar while some others were brought from Thailand.
The variety imported from Thailand matures in three years and starts bearing flowers, he continued.
Bipin said that the tree bean saplings planted in 2019 are now 15 feet to 20 feet high while those planted in 2020 are seven to eight feet high.
Expressing serious misgiving that all their efforts for the past many years would be reduced to nought if the tree bean plants which are now maturing get infected by diseases, Bipin appealed to the State Government to provide necessary inputs and aid.
He said that they would be spending a substantial amount of money in purchasing intesticides, pesticides and other chemicals.
Bipin said that cultivation of different crops including tree beans can be a viable alternative source of income for those engaged in poppy plantation.
There are vast uncultivated areas in the hill region of the State. It would be a big boost for the State’s economy if different types of crops and vegetables are cultivated at these areas, he continued.
Saying that there are still many uncultivated areas at Khundong Khaiba village, Bipin informed that they have been working to bring these areas too under tree bean plantation.
He said that Manipur has been spending around Rs 15 crore to 20 crore every year in importing tree beans from Myanmar.
He claimed that this amount can be saved and the demand of tree beans can be met easily if tree beans are planted extensively at suitable areas.