Farmer and scientist interaction session held during the Cucumber Festival Aliba 2023 on May 9. (Morung Photo)
Stalls setup by SHGs during the Cucumber Festival Aliba 2023 on May 9. (DIPR Photo)
Morung Express News
Mokokchung| May 9
Following the success of its first cucumber festival in 2022, Aliba village held its second and even larger, cucumber festival at Aliba village ground, Mokokchung.
38 farmers raised 6,000 cucumber plants in 2022. 53 growers planted 20,930 cucumber plants this year, an increase over last year.
The cucumber festival is sponsored by Nagaamii Infratech Private Limited, Government of Nagaland Eastman, Hills Agro Agency, House of Farming Needs, and Rural Development Department, Government of Nagaland.
The inaugural programme was held on May 9. Gracing the inaugural, Chumlamo Humtsoe, ADC Mokokchung appreciated the farmers and encouraged them to strengthen the farmer community, as there are more prospects to farming
The special invitee of the inaugural programme of Cucumber festival, Temsuienla, Additional Director of Agriculture, Government of Nagaland, while addressing the people in attendance, gave credit to Purremba, who pioneered in cultivating the offseason cucumber. She mentioned that, his diligence has made Aliba, a model village for other cultivators too.
She encouraged the farmers in Aliba village to be pioneers not just in off season cucumber but also in other crops and produce. Aliba cucumber has a GI tag, which gives it the potential to be the highest producer too, if the farmers plan to be. She also urged the Aliba farmers to work harder in the management of pests and produce the first ever chemical-free cucumber at a reasonable price.
The highlight of the festival also included farmer scientist interaction, field visit, angling etc. The festival will come to a close on May 10.
