Journalist turned banana cultivator

Soibam Maniton Singh, a journalist of Manipur set a benchmark by turning into a banana cultivator and achieving success in the field.

Soibam started banana farming through learning of success stories from the banana farmers during one of his trips in search of stories.

He planted about 500 banana saplings of grain nain variety.

Soibam has won a lot of accolades for his achievement in the field of journalism.

In 2013, Soibam was recognised with the prestigious Late Gaurai Hi-Tech Banana Award.

Talking about his journey, he said, "During 2010, in one of the Ningol Chakaoba fest, I put up a stall for banana and also distributed in the market. And from then on, the banana farming business started generating revenue."

Participating in the international conference and receiving the award had motivated Soibam.

Elated by the initial success, he expanded his area of plantation by planting another 1,000 plants of Grain Nain variety.

Singh's journey to success was not very easy. In the beginning, many workers were required on the field, and he even suffered a major loss in the year 2011.

He said, "Initially the job required a lot of labour work, but once, it started growing to the fullest and producing bananas, it became a lot easier and at the same generated revenue."

Singh's success in the field has motivated many farmers in the vicinity of his region.

Soibam said that a major population of the youth is struggling to find a job, and banana cultivation in the state would play an imperative role in boosting the employment sector.

"In our state, many educated youth are still struggling to get job and many remain unemployed, depending on parents support financially. State government must promote awareness banana cultivation, so that it will be benefitted for the youths", he added.