Shyamkumar inaugurates first quality analysis laboratory for NE region at ICAR Lamphelpat

IMPHAL, Jul 30 (DIPR): Horticulture and Soil Conservation Minister Thounaojam Shyamkumar inaugurated ICAR NEH Quality Analysis Laboratory, Manipur, at the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region Manipur Centre, Lamphelpat, today.
It is a laboratory which is the first of its kind, especially under the public sector, for the entire North East region. The laboratory is funded by the Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation under the Centrally sponsored scheme Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
Speaking as the chief guest of the inaugural function, Th Shyamkumar opined that the laboratory will play an important role in quality analysis in Manipur and in the entire North East region.
He said that the laboratory will help in checking the quality of food items/products which are beneficial for human consumption.
Speaking about the necessity to plant more ‘Yongchak’ (parkia) in the State, he said that less production of the tree beans due to insect problems, has resulted in importing it from the neighbouring country.
He said that to solve the problem, the Forest Department undertook an initiative and the scientists of the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun have been successful in finding the cause and solution to the problem.
Shyamkumar appealed to the people to avail the solution prepared by the scientists from the Forest Department to solve the issue of insect attack on yongchak trees and opined that indigenous trees like yongchak should be preserved as it is one of the valuable food items in Manipuri cuisine.
Shyamkumar also lauded the officials of ICAR for completing the laboratory in a short period of time.
He then appealed to the ICAR officials to spread awareness to the farmers regarding latest farming technologies for better crop yield.
It is worth mentioning here that more than 100 quality parameters can be analysed in the laboratory such as carbohydrate, protein, energy specific chemicals, adulteration (food, fish, milk) among others. Apart from it, scientific research work is also carried out in the laboratory.
Interested individuals can also avail the opportunity to undergo training programme on food quality analysis at the laboratory. The quality analysis laboratory, which has obtained the highest ISO certification from UK, has already applied to the Food Safety Authority of India for notifying the laboratory as the certified lab in Manipur. Nominal charges are kept for the farmers and entrepreneurs, ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 1000.
The laboratory will play a crucial role while exporting organic products from the State and also in checking the food quality of the imported products.
The function was also attended by JC Ramthanga, Principal Secretary (Horticulture and Soil Conservation), K Kipgen, Director, Department of Horticulture and Soil Conservation, Narendra Prakash, Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Meghalaya, officials of the ICAR Lamphelpat, among others. (DIPR).