The 15th Thanamir Apple Festival was held at Thanamir village, Pungro, Kiphire on 10th September 2024, with the theme “Apple for Health and Wealth and prosperity” organised by Thanamir village Council in collaboration with District Horticulture Office, Kiphire under Pungro with Minister for Women Resource Development and Horticulture, Salhautuonuo Kruse as the Special Guest
Minister, Salhoutuonuo Kruse in her speech shared her joy of witnessing the event and expressed her admiration for the place, village and citizens of the Thanamir village. She also acknowledged the host of the festival, MLA & Advisor, Kiusumew for having her in the event as the Special Guest. Thanamir village is known for Apple yet she also encouraged villagers to plant more Apple trees and produce more Apples to benefit through these projects and make healthy through the festival. Department is ready to make it better in whatever way possible, even to the market expansion, she assured to provide one apple processing unit in Thanamir village through the Department of Horticulture. She also highlighted about health benefits of consuming apple.
The Guest of honour, W. Chingang Konyak, Advisor for Geology & Mining and DUDA stated that Thanamir village is located in the mineral district and such minerals should also be given utmost priority and make better use of it for Human development. Asserting that road and education is the most important aspects for social development, Chingang urged the citizens to take care of these two factors.
Advisor for Fire and Emergency Services, Home Guard & Civil Defence and Rehabilitation, S. Kiusumew while welcoming the Special Guest and Guest of Honour expressed his sincere gratitude for coming all the way from Kohima to attend the festival.
Chairman, Thanamir Village Council, Tsechimong, submitted representation to the Directorate of Horticulture for setting up of Horticulture Research Centre (HRC) at Thanamir village under Kiphire District. He also shared about varieties of apple grown in the village and significant of its fruits.
Besides apple various fruit like Persimon, Kiwi, Pear, Strawberry, Yaconl, Plum, wild apple, Silverberry, Myrica Rubra, Sumac and indigenous wild fruits are ideally grown at large quantity in the village. Thanamir is the leading block (Aspirational Block) of Kiphire District. Neighbouring village like Fakim, Salomi, Penkim, Khongsa Town, Khong, Tsundang and Vongtsuvong also produce good quality apple in large scale.
Director of Horticulture, Kohima and Deputy Commissioner, Kiphire and DHO Kiphire also attended the program as the Guest Speaker.
(Tsoinyu IA, Kiphire)
