The inaugural programme of the two-day Cucumber Festival was held at Aliba Village, Mokokchung on 11th May 2022. The event is one of the first of its kind to promote cucumber cultivation at Aliba and its surrounding villages. The Festival is jointly organized by ATMA Nagaland Department of Agriculture, Urban Home Solution Kohima, Rural Development Department Nagaland, Hills Agro Agency Kohima, Eastern Agro Marketing Agencies Guwahati Assam, and EASTMAN CAST & FORGE Ltd Ludhiana Punjab.
Director of Agriculture & SNO ATMA, Nagaland, M. Ben Yanthan said the Festival is the first of its kind in the State. He encouraged the farmers to expand and increase their cultivation and production of cucumber to its optimum capacity using modern scientific technology. He assured the farmers that the Department of Agriculture is ready to extend help and support in any way it can.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Toshimongla, Co-Convenor, Organising Committee, the welcome address was delivered by Lipokmar, Convenor, Organising Committee, the keynote address was delivered by Dr. I. Amenla, Joint Director, ATMA, Exhortation by Sangpangchang Longkumer, EAC Ongpangkong, Mokokchung. Vote of thanks was proposed by Temjentola, Member Secretary Organising Committee.
The Director also released a book on “Off-Season Cucumber Cultivation” and also handed over a certificate of recognition to Lolentsula, Wife of Late Puremba Pongen. Late Puremba was the first person to pioneer in doing research for cultivating cucumbers in the village in the year 1984-85 through which Aliba Village became a huge producer in the district.
The Director also inaugurated the stalls put up by different Self Help Groups (SHGs). The programme was attended by a host of Agri & Allied officers from Kohima and also heads of offices from the District. Different Non-Governmental Organizations like Ao Senden, Watsu Mungdang, AKM, Ao Lanur Telongjem, Ongpangkong Kaketshir Telongjem, and farmers from neighboring villages, Wokha District and Longleng District are attending the festival.
(DPRO, Mokokchung)
