Sirarakhong Hathei growers advised natural farming
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, August 29 2024: Minister of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry and Transport Khashim Vashum has called upon the growers of Sirarakhong Hathei chillies to commit themselves to cultivating and producing pure, organic chillies while eschewing any unethical practices that might undermine the age-old agricultural traditions of their ancestors.

During his address as the chief guest at the inaugural function of the 13th Sirarakhong Hathei Phanit held at Sirarakhong village on Thursday, minister Vashum earnestly urged all local chilli farmers to prioritise the production of pure, organic Hathei chilies.

"Let us reject any unethical practices that could jeopardise in production of pure Hathei and our agricultural integrity," he stated.

The minister also highlighted the significance of preserving age-old farming methods and encouraged local farmers to adopt traditional techniques passed down through generations.

While advocating for organic farming practices, he advised against the use of artificial chemical fertilisers, such as urea in Hathei chilli cultivation.

Minister Vashum also acknowledged the positive impact of the Hathei Phanit festival on establishing Sirarakhong as a prominent hub for unique chilli production along with commending contributions of local women to this initiative.

"As far as I can recall, this festival was initiated by the local women," he noted, urging the village to recognise and support the crucial role that women play in enhancing Hathei production and promotion.

Echoing the minister's concerns, Ukhrul deputy commissioner Zuringla Kengoo, who attended the event as a guest of honour, expressed her worries about the unethical use of urea among some farmers.

She reiterated the need to uphold the integrity of Hathei cultivation, pointing out that the presence of artificial chemicals can be easily detected through laboratory tests.

"Hathei is a unique blessing for both Sirarakhong village and the Tangkhul community, and we cannot afford to destroy it," Kengoo stated passionately, encouraging farmers to recommit themselves to natural farming practices.

As the festival progressed, minister Khashim Vashum, along with DC Kengoo, inaugurated several stalls showcasing Hathei chilli and other indigenous crops.

Nine local self-help groups (SHGs) participated, presenting their closely cultivated produce, known for its vivid colours of bright red and green and distinctive flavours.

Fresh Hathei chillies were sold at Rs 200 per kilogram, while dried chillies were priced at Rs 1,000.Dried chilli powder was available in 100-gram packets for Rs 130.Meanwhile, speaking to the media on the sidelines of the stall inauguration, Sirarakhong village chairman V Ningkhan conceded that the festival returned this year after a gap of some 4 years due to COVID-19 outbreak and also due to certain issues related to the geographical indication (GI) registration.

He noted that the name Sirarakhon g was previously absent from the registration but has since been corrected to Sirarakhong Hathei in June this year.

Regarding Hathei production, Ningkhan informed that a yield of about 25 tonnes was being estimated for this year, with around 20 tonnes already harvested.

Minister Vashum officially opened the two-day festival by hoisting the festival flag, marking the start of the event, which will conclude on August 30 .

The festival is organised by Sirarakhong Hathei Promotion Committee (SHPC) .

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