WIGC Agri-Project
Agro-based Tourism Centre
In this project, WIGC covers an area of around 2,15,76,000 sq. ft. The project is underway in the hill and foothill areas of Thoubal and Lishamlok villages under Village No.19, Yaithibi, Thoubal Khunou, Thoubal District, Manipur. The main activities of the Centre are:
Kouna Plantation
Located at the foothills of Thoubal Khunou (SC) and Lishamlok (ST) villages, WIGC’s Kouna Plantation has been successfully producing Kouna raw-material in every quarter of the year. A consistent supply of Kouna raw-material to the artisans and entrepreneurs is the primary objective of this initiative. As an integrated mixed-farming, fishery is also done with this Kouna plantation. As a matter of fact, there has been a tremendous increase in the demand of Kouna raw-material in Manipur primarily because of the demand of Kouna products in domestic and global markets. It is evident that the Kouna artisans and entrepreneurs have difficulties in supplying bulk purchases of Kouna products due to shortage of Kouna raw-material. Hopefully, this deficiency can be minimized to a certain degree with the present Kouna plantation of WIGC.
Kouna and Kouna Crafts
Kouna craft has a unique place in the global handicrafts market. Kouna, which is locally called, is a class of reed usually growing wildly in the shallow lakes and marshy land, ponds, canals, along the river and lake beaches in the valley area of Manipur. However, with the increasing popularity of Kouna craft products, the demand for Kouna raw-material has tremendously been increased. As a result, the Kouna farmlands have been developed in different parts of Manipur, particularly in the areas of Khangabok, Langmeithek, Sikhong of Thoubal District of Manipur. During the last two decades, Kouna craft has become a highly potential craft in national and international markets. This crafts has now been taken up by many individuals, artisans and entrepreneurs as a gainful economic activity by a large number of artisans/entrepreneurs. As a clear result, both the plantation of Kouna and mass production of Kouna-made items are on the rise. Hence, a good number of farmers have developed new Kouna plantation farms to meet the ever-increasing demand of Kouna raw material. Evidently, the flourishing Kouna craft has made people more aware of the potential of Kouna plant in handicrafts sector. It is true that the surging demands for Kouna products surpass the current production in the state.
Objective
In the meantime, WIGC, as usual, has a firm determination to contribute its share in maintaining ecological balance and promoting eco-friendly products. This is the primary reason why WIGC has taken up the Kouna plantation project with its own resources with an additional objective to boost the overall Kouna productivity and to generate more employment among women of poor families. At present, WIGC is producing a good number of diversified Kouna items for which the Organisation is working with a large number of artisans, especially women who belong to various communities of Manipur, both hill and valley. They are qualified trained artisans under WIGC to make internationally acclaimed items. The artisans are also provided relevant support services with special arrangements with nationalized banks for micro-credit.