MLA Leishiyo calls for mass production of organic garlic
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Mamang
Ukhrul, May 04 2022:
The IX District Level Shurikaso Phanat (Garlic Festival) cum Sales drew a huge crowd of organic garlic lovers and buyers to Talui village, which is located about 28 km west of Ukhrul district headquarters, on Wednesday.
The village has carved out a name for itself in the production of its unique garlic since the festival was instituted in 2012 and organised annually by Talui Kharngarum SHG Federation (TKSHGF).
On Wednesday, the festival was inaugurated by Phungyar MLA Leishiyo Keishing in the presence of Talui headman S Akhai, ex-ADC members Somimayar Awungshi and Kapangpam Zimik, TKSHGF chairperson Nganunglei Vashum and other members of the federation and village leaders.
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, MLA Leishiyo extolled the villagers, especially womenfolk for their relentless efforts towards sustaining the cultivation of the unique garlic which is peculiar to Talui village.
He stated that nature has abundantly blessed Tangkhul villages.
"We have seen many villages producing special horticulture or agriculture products of their own which have gained wide recognition," he said.
"To name a few, we have Sirarakhong Hathei, Chatric Sivathei, Nam-bashi Yongchak and Kachai Lemon and others.
And Talui Shurikaso (garlic) is one of them," the MLA noted.
He continued that the specialty about Talui Shurikaso is its unique taste and organic way of farming and production.
According to Leishiyo Keishing, compared to commercially-driven farming, organic farming of garlic may have lower yield but it is much worthier in terms of its health values and public preference.
He then urged the locals of Talui village to go for a large-scale farming to achieve mass production of their organic garlic.
"This way, you will have sufficient volume of the crop and will be able to export it outside the district each year.
Ultimately, you will be able to enhance your livelihood, " he encouraged the local farmers.
Advising the villagers against a life of dependency, the Phungyar legislator underscored the importance of pursuing means for leading a self-reliant lifestyle, instead of solely depending on benefits from government schemes.
"I'm not discouraging anyone but I must say that education is not the only way to earn one's livelihood.
In fact, it's much better for slow-witted youngsters to learn farming then to seek academic degrees for name sake", he said.
Later, MLA Leishiyo Keishing declared the festival open by cutting the ceremonial ribbon and inspected the stalls including 13 stalls set up by the federation and four by other local organisations.
Local headman S Akhai expressed gratitude to the MLA for showing his concern for the village, although Talui village does not fall under his assembly constituency.
According to Wungminao Vashum of the SHG Federation, each household in the village is engaged in garlic farming since the crop is an integral part of food for the locals.
The village has a total of 1114 houses with a population of 4700, of which 2421 are male and 2279 female.
Considering the importance of Shurikaso for the locals, the festival named after the crop was instituted back in 2012 in order to promote and introduce it to the outside world, she recalled.
"We are happy that we received positive response from the public about our Shurikaso," she exclaimed, while adding that no chemical is used in the production.
Wungminao Vashum also said that farming and production of Shurikaso has been able to foster better relationship among the locals, especially womenfolk.
According to the organisers, the total volume of garlic production for the current year is 8000 kg and each kilogram of the crop costs Rs 150.Talui youth also enthralled the crowd of festival attendees with a folk dance Kharing Kharak Pheichak.