Morung Express news
Kohima | April 16
With the aim to promote and give organic potato cultivation in the state a window of opportunity and recognition, the first ever Nagaland Potato Festival is set to take place in Kohima at Jakhama village on May 9.
To be held at Jakhama Local Ground, the organisers of the event today announced through a press conference that the daylong mega event will see a host of events including sale and display of Potato and other organic produces rare and unique of various regions of the state, competition, traditional games and music extravaganza.
According to the organizers, the event is being organized with the aim to enhance farmer's income by promoting the establishment of agriculture based enterprises, facilitate development of value added products through capacity building and technical support; establish sustainable market linkages and improve farmer’s access to both domestic and international markets and promote agricultural practices and environmental conservation.
The Potato Festival is set to bring hundreds of stalls and more than 5000 visitors.
With variety of potatoes to be featured here, the sale of potatoes would be at market rate. Apart from that, it informed that a minimum registration fee of Rs 100 is incurred for those who wish to take part in setting up stalls.
The organisers viewed that potatoes found in the state especially in the Kohima region, are unique and considered a delicacy for the populace.
During harvest season, one of the organisers, Teputo Richa said the demands are so high that buyers directly to the fields to buy the fresh harvests. He observed that, it hardly reaches the markets and said it is mostly taken for self consumption and not resale.
He however added that it was high that farmer’s efforts are facilitated with modern techniques and tools to aid more production and quality.
Vikethuto, another organiser of the event, shared details of the competition and said that, prizes will be given for best and most innovative stalls and biggest potato. Prizes are power fillers, grass cutters and other modern agriculture machineries which is being sponsored by partners. He said it will be judged by experts in the field of Agriculture.
Potato cultivation demonstration is also another highlight of the event and research scholars will also take part in the event for technical support.
The organisers said live concerts will be held in the events. Indigenous traditional games competition like Phieda and others for men and Thulo for women are also being organized.
The events is being powered by Department of Agriculture, Government of Nagaland and supported by The Green Caravan, Community Seed bank, Jakhama, Farm Craft enterprises and other partners.
