The two-day Exhibition cum Sales and Seller-Buyer Meet 2024, held recently at the Khashimla Women Market Complex, Naga Gate, Hungpung, was an event that helped in bridging the gap between buyers and sellers in Manipur’s Ukhrul and Kamjong districts.
Organised by the Ukhrul District Community Resource Management Society (UDCRMS) on February 21 and 22, the event provided a platform for local entrepreneurs and business owners to showcase their products and services to potential buyers. It created a sense of community and collaboration among the local farmers and entrepreneurs.
The expo featured 45 stalls from different sectors such as agriculture, handloom and handicrafts, and small-scale industries. This also helped create awareness and promote the district’s economic potential to the rest of the state.
Potentials & Challenges
Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, located in the northern part of the state, are known for their natural scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage. More importantly, the region is known for its rich soil and favorable climate for farming. It is, as such, home to various indigenous agricultural produces.
Despite its potential, the region has been facing challenges in terms of economic development in the face of inadequate market linkages.
This is where the UDCRMS comes into the picture. “Through this collaborative event, we strive to promote the local economy by providing a platform for local farmers, entrepreneurs and businesses to showcase their products and services to their potential customers,” stated District Project Director (DPD) of UDCRMS Lilly Rose Jajo.
One notable feature of the exhibition was the buyer-seller meet, which took place on the second day of the event. “The purpose of this meet is to facilitate discussions and planning for the future direction of the buyer-seller collaboration and of the exhibition,” she explained.
Ukhrul DC Zuringla Kengoo who inaugurated the exhibition on February 21, highlighted that farming is deep-rooted in the blood of the local populace who are mostly born and brought up in the farming culture. She emphasized that farming is a traditional and essential practice for our community. However, despite their hard work in crop production, many local farmers face the challenge of finding a reliable market to sell their goods.
Bridging The Gap
To address this issue, the UDCRMS came up with this exhibition to bridge the gap between farmers and potential buyers, said Kengoo, who is also the chairperson of the UDCRMS Ukhrul. “This exhibition is a much-needed platform for local farmers. It seeks to solve the problem of a lack of viable markets and provides opportunities for farmers to expand their businesses.” She then expressed that this initiative is a win-win situation for both sellers and buyers.
She encouraged local farmers to produce larger quantities of crops and to collaborate with one another. She stressed the importance of joint ventures and collective efforts for the growth of the farming community.
Furthermore, Kengoo advised local farmers to expand their perspective beyond producing crops for household consumption. She encouraged them to shift towards surplus production in order to generate income. She also urged them to familiarize themselves with fund management, which is crucial for assessing the progress and profitability of their businesses.
Stressing on the need for producing high-quality products, Kengoo urged local farmers not to compromise on the quality of their crops in order to meet the demands of the market. “Quality products are in high demand and will not only enhance the reputation of the local farmers but also result in a better income.”
On a similar note, Ukhrul ADC/ADM Nimmi A Khamrang, in her speech as the chief guest of the valedictory function on February 22, emphasized the importance of utilizing the rich natural resources of the region. “Our land is blessed with natural resources and we cannot afford to lose out on these blessings,” she said while highlighting the fact that all the products imported from outside are produced using harmful chemicals.
Khamrang urged the local farming community to make an effort in harnessing the natural benefits and reap their advantages. She further emphasized that by utilizing these resources, the local economy can improve, resulting in a better quality of life for the locals.
“I urge you all to work towards protecting our ecosystem and not let imported products fill the market.” Instead, she suggested promoting and using local indigenous seeds and crops.
Khamrang also directed her message to the farmers, urging them to produce crops using natural methods and not just focus on increasing quantity at the cost of compromising quality.
Giving a call to action, she encouraged the audience to play a part in preserving the natural blessings and promoting a sustainable way of life.
David Kashungnao, the CEO of ADC, raised a pertinent issue: “It’s an irony that while our people possess extensive agricultural lands, we continue to depend on products from outside sources.” In a plea to the community, he urged everyone to show their support for the local farmers of Ukhrul and Kamjong, so they can produce a larger quantity of crops and provide healthier produce for the locals to purchase.
Winners & Prizes
At the recent event, a total of 45 participants had set up stalls to showcase their products. Among them, the Shomi NarmG Cluster Association was declared as the top winner, with the Manna NarmG Cluster Association and Reika NarmG Cluster Association coming in second and third place respectively. As a reward for their achievements, these associations were given cash prizes and certificates.
The other 42 participants were not left unrewarded either, as they were also presented with a cash prize and a certificate of participation. The exhibition was participated by various groups, including Self-Help Groups (SHGs), NarmG Cluster Associations, Kazipphung Village Federation, Khashimla Market Vendors Association, private entrepreneurs, and VVD and Zaoranao Shinshim Vendors’ Association.
Expo Revival
“The UDCRMS had been organising this event since its establishment in 1999. Unfortunately, due to the conclusion of the NERCOMP Projects in 2019, the event has not been held regularly,” said Lilly Rose.
This year marks the 17th edition of the annual exhibition which came after a gap of some four years.
Despite this setback, Lily Rose Jajo is now eager to revive the event and hold it every year from this year on. She appeals for cooperation from all, as she believes the exhibition to be an essential platform for the local farming community in improving the rural economy.
Buyer-seller Meet
The concluding day of the event saw a meeting between the buyers and sellers, held at the venue. Present at the gathering were Themreiyo, the General Manager of DIC, Ukhrul; Peacemoon Zimik, the President of Tangkhul Leihsak Long and also the Managing Director of Career Pathfinder; Soso Zimik, the Chairperson of Zaoranao Sinshim and Chonmiwor Muinao, the LDC of Small Town Committee, ADC, Ukhrul, who all shared their expertise as resource persons.
This gathering served as a fruitful platform for local sellers and buyers from Ukhrul and Kamjong districts to come together and strategize for future collaborations in promoting the growth of the local economy.
Indigenous Products
The two-day exhibition garnered an enormous response from attendees and buyers, who were greatly impressed by the vast array of merchandise.
The stalls showcased a diverse selection of goods including handcrafted ornaments, traditional Tangkhul clothing, organic food products, locally processed fruit juices, and other value-added items. From crops and vegetables to flowers, the event presented a wide range of indigenous products for visitors/buyers to explore.
In addition to the various merchandise, the event also featured traditional crafts and costumes, highlighting the abundant talent and resources of the local community.
The event came to a successful close, with a total turnover of Rs. 4.8 lakhs. Both the buyers and sellers are eagerly anticipating future collaborations and exchanges, further showcasing the potential of the event to foster positive relationships and benefit all involved parties.
