District level Garlic Festival begins at Talui village, Ukhrul
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik

Ukhrul, April 16 2019: A two day garlic festival "VII Edition of Talui Shuri Kaso Phanit" was inaugurated at Talui village by Secretary, Dept of Law & Justice, Govt of Nagaland, Khanrinla Z Koza by cutting the ribbon in the presence of village heredity headman Shangreikhai, acting headman and SHG group.

Speaking at the event, Khanrinla said the garlic festival demonstrates fraternal unity and promotes the idea of villagers help villagers to grow as a whole.

Khanrinla also lauded the village women folks for their enthusiastic effort, promoting Shuri kazo garlic by organising festival every year.

Project manager Tychicus Vashum IFAD, Ukhrul while speaking at the inauguration programme of the garlic festival expounded the importance of growing organic crops for "our health benefits" .

District level Garlic Festival begins at Talui village, Ukhrul

He said, Talui village is well known for Shuri Kaso garlic and is the identity of the village.

He also mentioned the unique feature of Shuri kaso garlic which have peculiar flavour and storage durability.

Mentioning few health benefits of the garlic, he asserted that so far there is no complaint of heart problem from Talui village who include the Shuri Kaso garlic in their daily diet, although it is not a scientifically established proof.

He urged the garlic growers to maintain the quality of the organic crop and avoid using chemical fertilizers.

He also advised them not to scale the value on economic factors but preserve its medicinal values.

Garlic are being sold at Rs 130 per kg during the festival.

Speaking on the sideline of the inauguration programme, one of the garlic grower said that one kg of garlic can produce 40-50 kg annually.

According to villagers, Talui Kharngarum SHG Federation initiated the garlic festival in 2010 with sale of only 300 kg in beginning and now the production has reached 8,500 kg this year.

Ukhrul ADC member Kapangpam Zimik, who attended as the special guest, urged the growers for introduction of more innovative inputs to increase yield.

Ngachimrin SHG unit was adjudged as the winner of the VII district level competition for highest garlic produces.

The second day of the festival will witness a training programme for the garlic growers.

At least 15 SHGs are participating in the two days district level garlic festival being held at Talui village, Ukhrul.