Imphal, Aug 29 : Come Saturday and the pineapple festival at Khousabung near the Churachandpur district headquarters will literally sweeten the mouths of the visitors to the event.
The first of its kind in Churachandpur district — the largest producer of pineapple in Manipur — the festival will be organised by a group of pineapple farmers with support from the district administration.
It will include cultural programmes, a beauty pageant and a soiree.
“This is the first ever pineapple festival in the district and we hope to attract several buyers from other parts of the state,” the secretary of the organising committee, Gin Gangte, told the media today.
With 300 pineapple farmers and more than 1,000 acres of cultivable land, Churachandpur produces 70,000 pineapples every season.
“The festival aims at providing the farmers a platform to discuss issues like marketing and promote pineapple cultivation,” Gangte said.
Though the farmers had a good harvest, marketing the produce was a problem.
The main markets are in Imphal city, Moirang in Bishnupur district and the district headquarters of Churachandpur.
“We have many success stories; come and listen to them during the festival,” Gangte said. The Pineapple Queen will be given cash awards, he added.
Till today, at least 50 cultivators have registered their participation and the organisers are expecting more to follow suit.
“We expect the event to be a grand success,” Gangte said.
The government is yet to respond to the Churachandpur farmers’ demand that pineapple be made the state fruit.
Pineapple cultivation started in the district in 1947 when Songpu Gangte, a local resident, planted 40 saplings he had brought with him.
The first of its kind in Churachandpur district — the largest producer of pineapple in Manipur — the festival will be organised by a group of pineapple farmers with support from the district administration.
It will include cultural programmes, a beauty pageant and a soiree.
“This is the first ever pineapple festival in the district and we hope to attract several buyers from other parts of the state,” the secretary of the organising committee, Gin Gangte, told the media today.
With 300 pineapple farmers and more than 1,000 acres of cultivable land, Churachandpur produces 70,000 pineapples every season.
“The festival aims at providing the farmers a platform to discuss issues like marketing and promote pineapple cultivation,” Gangte said.
Though the farmers had a good harvest, marketing the produce was a problem.
The main markets are in Imphal city, Moirang in Bishnupur district and the district headquarters of Churachandpur.
“We have many success stories; come and listen to them during the festival,” Gangte said. The Pineapple Queen will be given cash awards, he added.
Till today, at least 50 cultivators have registered their participation and the organisers are expecting more to follow suit.
“We expect the event to be a grand success,” Gangte said.
The government is yet to respond to the Churachandpur farmers’ demand that pineapple be made the state fruit.
Pineapple cultivation started in the district in 1947 when Songpu Gangte, a local resident, planted 40 saplings he had brought with him.
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