Horticulture and its Scope of Commercialization in Manipur

Agricultural practices are the primary source of livelihood and in rural India. Rice is the main crop and staple food for the people of Manipur. Horticulture practices are performed using simple devices particularly in the hills. Recently horticulture is becoming more important and making a successful way to markets, locally, nationally as well as internationally. So, considering the importance of horticulture diversification and its role in the life and income of the farmers becomes significant. This study focuses on the horticultural activities practiced by the villagers in Noney village (part1), Tamenglong, Manipur. For the present study, interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interviewed schedule of both qualitative and quantitative methods. The study shows that this area has large potential and scope for horticultural practices, with large diversity in indigenous as well high-valued horticultural crops in terms of commercialization. The data thus collected were analyzed using statistic method such as correlation coefficient. It was found that the diverseness of crops depends upon the size of the landholdings but not on annual income. There is poor management of the of the fields and till the stage of sending the products to the market. The correlation analysis shows the relationship between annual income and landholdings. There is large scope and potential for diversity in for making horticultural practices in Noney Manipur towards a successful commercialization process.