First Watermelon Festival
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 04 2012:
The first Watermelon Festival of the State would be held from June 8 till June 12 at Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound which will be organised by Nahakpam Foundation for Development in collaboration with the State's Horticulture department.
Addressing media persons today at the office of the Nahakpam Food and Beverages at North AOC, Ambassador of NFD, Sophia Mayengbam said the five-day festival is aimed at promoting watermelon cultivation as an important cash crop.
The festival would be marked by open seminar on watermelon farming and Manipur which would be held for three days.
The seminar/discussion would cover topic on the prospect of watermelon farming in the horticultural, food processing and cooperative sectors, she said.
Opinions expressed during the seminar would be documented and the same would be submitted to the concerned department for promotion of watermelon farming in the State, she said.
Inviting the participation of all watermelon farmers of the State to participate in the festival, Sophia said any willing participant could open their stall free of cost.
Stating that the watermelons found in the State during peak season are brought from Myanmar through Moreh, she further said the festival is also aimed to encourage farmers of the State to produce sufficient fruits for consumption.
Though the organiser intended the festival to be an academic one and abstain from organising entertainment events like beauty pageantry, Sophia said renowned Manipuri singer, Sorri Senjam would present a special show during the festival.