Aliba village hosted the 3rd edition of the Cucumber Festival at the village playground on May 10. The festival was hosted in partnership with ATMA, Nagaland, Horticulture Department, Government of Nagaland and Hills Agro Agency.
Veyielo Doulo, Director of Tourism, who graced the occasion as the special invitee lauded the farmers for their tireless efforts in making the festival a success. He encouraged the cucumber growers to inform and educate farmers in other districts on growing cucumbers during offseason. He proposed that the village open hotels and home-stays for visitors, pointing out the village's current tourism potential.
Imbanglangba
Additionally, Duolo advised the villagers to identify the tourist attraction places and publicise them on websites, and print brochures. He also mentioned the health advantages and therapeutic qualities of cucumbers, suggesting that they have greater potential for revenue generation beyond the festivals.
Rongsennungla, Deputy Project Director ATMA, Mokokchung, and member of the Organising Committee, said the festival's major goal was to promote offseason cucumber. Cucumber, a kharif crop, is typically produced in the summer sun, however there is potential for off-season production, she said.
Furthermore, she pointed out farmers grow and harvest paddy from June till November, and the fields are left unoccupied, so the time between December to May can be used to cultivate the offseason cucumber or other crops. In this manner, we can harvest and earn more cash for farmers, she explained.
She also stated that the festival's objective is to raise awareness among other districts and highlighted about the tradition of cultivating offseason cucumbers. The cucumber festival is also being celebrated to honour Late Purremba Pongen, who practised offseason cucumber cultivation.
Around 80-95 progressive farmers harvested 22,000 kgs of cucumbers this year and participated in the festival.
Earlier, welcome note was addressed by Lipokmar, Convenor, Organising Committee and Tatongkaba Pongen, Chairman, Aliba Village Council delivered a short speech. The committee honoured and felicitated the cultivators and acknowledged the oldest male and female cultivators. The oldest male cultivator was Imnanichet and the oldest female cultivator was Imnasüngla. The oldest participant in the stalls was Ibanglangba, 90 years of age.
The celebration also witnessed display of handicrafts, indigenous food and cuisines in various stalls and indigenous games were also played. Aliba village celebrates cucumber festival with 22,000 kilo harvest | MorungExpress | morungexpress.com
