Watermelon festival begins
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 08 2012:
The five-day inaugural State Level Watermelon Festival organised by Nahakpam Foundation for Development under the sponsorship of State's Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department commenced from today at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen.
As chief guest of the festival inauguration, Hort & Soil Consvn Joint Director M Kuber informed that from its origin in south Africa watermelon is at present one of the most commercialised food items in the world.
Maintaining that watermelon, with 72 percent water content and 6 percent sugar, is a relatively new food item in Manipur, the Joint Director conveyed that it has substantial nutritional value and is one of the favourite food items of the summer season.
Pledging the Department's support in the form of seed provision to enhance watermelon productivity in Manipur, Kuber suggested that a common organising committee be formed ahead of the next festival to ensure more participation.
He also stated that all possible measures would be taken by the Department to present prizes in order to boost morale of the watermelon producers/farmers.
Chief Food Technologist of the Department Ng Maimu in his brief address exhorted the State farmers to strive for increasing watermelon productivity in the coming years with the assertion that bumper yield in food items is one of the means for economic independence of the people of Manipur.
Watermelon farmers from Langathel, Lamboikhul, Langmeidong, Kakching, Kumbi Ithai, Maklang, Naodakhong Chingya, Wangoo Terakhong and Tokpa Ching villages are taking part in the festival where their produce are being put on display in 14 stalls.
The four-day event will also have seminar and workshop sessions.