The two-day Cucumber Festival at Aliba Village Ground commenced on May 11.
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | May 11
A two-day Cucumber Festival, perhaps the first of its kind in Nagaland, began on Wednesday at Aliba Village Ground under Mokokchung district.
At the inaugural programme, MBen Yanthan, Director of Agriculture and SNO ATMA, Nagaland, praised local innovator late Burremba Pongen for experimenting on off-season cucumber in 1984-1985 and sharing his Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) with other farmers, which has provided a source of opportunity and livelihood. Pongen has achieved the distinction of most successful progressive farmer, due to his perseverance and patience, Yanthan said.
Yanthan stated that the original concept should be applied to other regions of the district with similar altitude and climatic conditions, allowing the cucumber GI tag of Mokokchung District to be extensively developed and farmed on a greater scale across the State.
He also urged farmers in Aliba village who grow off-season cucumbers to assist extend and transmit Indigenous Traditional Knowledge to other groups of farmers in the state. He remarked that the Agriculture Department is ready to provide guidance and assistance in this area.
At the programme, Rongsennungla Imchen, DPD ATMA Mokokchung, special invitee M Ben Yanthan, Director of Agriculture & SNO ATMA, Nagaland, and dignitaries launched a book titled ‘Off-Season Cucumber Cultivation’ published by ATMA, Mokokchung, and the Organizing Committee, Cucumber Festival 2022.
Earlier, Lipokmar, Convenor of the Organising Committee, presented a welcoming address, followed by a short remark from Imlinungba, Chairman of the Aliba Village Council.
Dr I Amenla, Joint Director of ATMA, gave the keynote presentation, while Sangpangchang Longkumer, EAC Ongpangkong, Mokokchung, gave a brief exhortation.
The event's display stands, which were stocked with cucumbers and other local foods, ran out of stock within hours the start, nonetheless,organisers promised that more produce would be available on the second day, May 12.
