Manipur is in Northeast India. It is a state bounded to the north by Nagaland, to the West by Assam, and to the south by Mizoram. It also borders Myanmar regions. 

Manipur through Moreh town acts as the ‘Gateway to the East and is a feasible trade route by land between Myanmar, India, and other countries in Southeast Asia. It covers an area of 3268 sq km and it stays covered by bamboo forests. It is a major contributor and the largest state producing bamboo. The state has bamboo-bearing areas of around 10,687 square km.

The state has a culturally rich past taking back centuries. It is the birthplace of Raas Lila, the classical dance form. Manipur refers to the ‘land of gems’. The economy of Manipur centers on forestry, agriculture, cottage, and trade industries.

Forestry and agriculture are the main income sources. The major crop is rice, and the rich soil supports tobacco, mustard, sugarcane, maize, pulses, and orchard fruits.  The farmers plow with hand hoes the ground, and terracing is common. Bamboo and teak are the main forestry products.

Under the 2021-22 state budget, urban development allocation is for Rs. 164, 97.96 lakh, for health and family welfare the allocation is Rs. 133, 86.10 lakh, and for agriculture and allied activities, it is Rs.2485 lakh. 

Bamboo processing facility centers are established at Imphal, Churachandpur, and Tamenglong. The Manipur government is building at Kadamtala, Jiribam, with the US $104.3million, an approximate cost of a Bamboo Technology Park. The annual allocation in FY21 is to implement in Manipur the National Bamboo Mission at Rs.65 million.

List of the state schemes to start anew manufacturing unit 

Manufacturing in Manipur is restricted to well-established cottage industries. Handloom cloth is in demand in and outside the country. Other industries include soap making, tanning, sericulture, carpentry, and manufacturing of sugarcane and bamboo products. An industrial complex is established and is inclusive of an electronics plant.

Manipur Profitable Businesses to mention are:

  • Soap making
  • Ecotourism sectors
  • Bamboo industry
  • Crafts making
  • Handloom industry
  • Jewelery making 
  • Online photo selling
  • Vegetable and fruits export

Business Loan schemes by the state government

Manipur has installed in 2021 power generation of 261.82 MW capacity. The horticulture crops total production was 948.03 thousand tonnes.

The horticulture unit of the state MOMA (Manipur Organic Mission Agency) and the department of soil conservation, introduced an app aiming to deliver for the daily consumption fresh vegetables. The aim was to curb the farm produces from distress sales due to Covid lockdown.

Manipur in India is the first state to set up the infrastructure of 4-crore of the e-Governance National plan as a common service center, state service delivery gateway, state portal, state data center, statewide area network, and e-forms. The production of raw silk in 2020 was 470 metric tonnes.

Majors of Hydropower are SJVNL (Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited) and NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited) set up at Tipaimuck, a mega hydroelectric power project with a US$2.0 billion investment.