Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 10 2025: Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department has announced plans to produce energy drinks and gummy fruits from GI tagged Kachai lemon and oranges of Tamenglong, stating that the department is all set to sign an agreement in this regard with the Central Citrus Research Institute (CCRI), Nagpur, Maharashtra on March 12.The department took the initiative towards producing/marketing new products of lemon of Kachai and oranges of Tamenglong in view of popularity of the GI tagged citrus fruits of Manipur, director (Horticulture & Soil Conservation) K Debadutta Sharma informed the media.
According to Debadutta, jelly and jams produced by the department under the brand name 'Magfruit' weren't able to attract the younger generation, who prefer ready-to-eat foods and beverages.
In view of the changing food habits among .the younger generation, the department decided to produce energy drinks and gummy fruits, popular among children with flavours of Kachai lemon and Tamenglong orange.
The much anticipated products of the department are expected to hit the national and international markets apart from local market if quality and standard are maintained, he opined.
Conceding that orange and lemon farmers of the state not only face challenges in selling their products but also incur loss of huge quantity every year due to short shelve life, he also noted that some local entrepreneurs are producing fruit juices in tetra-packaging and making them available at local markets.
However, tetra-packaging cannot be taken lightly as it involves huge investment, he said.
Even if state government spends Rs 20 crore to produce fruit juices in tetra packaging, local demands could not be met.
Accordingly, it is essential to study pros and cons before launching a new product.
After through discussion and study, the department decided to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Technology Licence Agreement with CCRI, for which the department has paid necessary agreement fee from the state government fund.
After signing the agreement, the department will act as the authority and selected officials of the department sent to CCRI for training.
The technology brought from CCRI will be installed at Food Technology and Fruit Preservation factory at Nilakuthi and start producing energy drinks and gummy fruits, he said adding that the department is planning to produce the new products and make the same available in the market within this year.
According to Debadutta, the new initiative taken up by the department and the government will not only solve the problem of markets for lemon and orange growers but will also help them in enhancing their economy.
The recent exposure visit of state's lemon and orange growers to CCRI, Nagpur was also a part of government's new initiative.
With new knowledge gained from the exposure visit, state's lemon and orange growers will be able to take up innovative way of growing their crops successfully, he added.
According to K Debadutta Sharma, annual production of Kachai lemon is around 400 metric tonne while Tamenglong orange stands at around 1,000 metric tonne.
There is fresh demand for Tamenglong orange at the national level in the past few years but unable to meet the demand due to certain issues.
Nevertheless, the upcoming agreement between the department and CCRI will give a new dimension while Fruit Preservation factory, Nilakuthi will also take part the signing of the agreement as second party.
Both the energy drinks and gummy fruits with flavours of Kachai lemon and Tamenglong orange will be produced by Food Technology and Fruit Preservation factory, Nilakuthi under the brand name of Magfruit, he added.