Guwahati: The North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Society (NERCRMS), NEC, GoI in association with the Institute of Himalayan Bio Resource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur, Himachal Pradesh introduced low-chilling varieties of Apple in the Ukhrul District of Manipur in 2019. The overall initiative received a remarkable response from the farming community as well as from different government and non-government agencies.

Augustina Awungshi Shimray, a resident of Poi Village under the initiative was chosen as the heir for apple cultivation. She was also one of the farmers who received training at the Institute of Himalayan Bio-resource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur, Himachal Pradesh.

Following this Shimray successfully grew apples in her orchard. In her first yield, she grew nearly 160 kg of Apples which she sold at a profitable price of Rs. 200/- per kg.

Further, inspired by her success, a few more farmers too took up apple plantations. Thus, for her exemplary efforts, the Chief Minister of Manipur N. Biren Singh felicitated her and rewarded her with financial support from the state government to train Apple Cultivation and its post-harvest management.

Shimray has expressed her sincere gratitude to NERCRMS, NEC, and GoI for transforming her life and encouraging her to become economically self-sustainable.

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