Aliba’s cucumbers fulfil Nagaland government’s ‘One Village, One Product’ vision—Minister Temjen Imna Along

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• Temjen Imna Along speaking at the 4th Cucumber Festival in Aliba village on Thursday.

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• ALIBA — Minister for Tourism and Higher Education, Temjen Imna Along, on Thursday declared that the prosperity, unity, and progressive mindset of Nagaland’s villages are the key to the state’s overall advancement.
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• He made the remark during an address as the special guest at the 4th Cucumber Festival in Aliba village, Mokokchung district.
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• Emphasising that “Nagaland is a land of villages, our farmers are our backbone, and villagers are our heritage,” the minister lauded Aliba’s cucumber farmers for their landmark achievement, which has earned the village a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.
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• Congratulating the farmers, Aliba Village Council, and the Agri & Allied department for their dedication, Along said, “The GI-tagged Aliba cucumber is a proud product of Nagaland, and your hard work has made the state shine.”
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• He announced that the Cucumber Festival has become an itinerary in Nagaland’s tourism festival and urged the organisers to set a tentative annual date to facilitate planning for tourists and the Tourism department.

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• “Under Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio’s leadership, our opposition-less government prioritises agriculture, with policies like ‘One Village, One Product’,” he said, adding that Aliba has fulfilled this vision with its cucumbers.
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• Along minister urged the farmers to boost productivity beyond last season’s yield while maintaining organic standards, in collaboration with Agri & Allied department.
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• Addressing a broader challenge, Along noted that Nagas often imitate others without acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills, hindering success. “To prosper, we must learn from experts and work with line departments,” he advised, stressing the importance of skill-building for sustainable growth.
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• The minister later inaugurated the Tungden Ki (Traditional Log Drum House) and toured festival stalls, engaging with farmers.

• Advisor for Agriculture Mhathung Yanthan hailed the Cucumber Festival as a celebration not just of a crop but of resilience, unity, and visionary innovation, emphasising that “the future lies in innovation.”
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• Speaking as the guest of honour at the festival, Yanthan praised Aliba’s off-season cucumber cultivation for transforming agriculture into a movement of prosperity and identity.
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• “The Cucumber Festival is more than a platform for showcasing and selling produce—it unites farmers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and consumers to appreciate the potential of our land and people,” Yanthan said.
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• He lauded Aliba’s farmers for achieving economic prosperity through their GI-tagged off-season cucumbers, which have become a symbol of agricultural transformation. “Aliba’s cucumbers respect our biodiversity and promote sustainable practices, setting a model for Nagaland and beyond,” he added, urging other communities to replicate this success.
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• Addressing the youth, Yanthan encouraged them to draw inspiration from their elders and expand Aliba’s legacy through innovative commercial production. “We must not remain stagnant. Blend traditional knowledge with modern technology to upgrade our agricultural practices,” he said.
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• Temjentola, Secretary of the Festival Organising Committee, shared that the festival saw greater participation this year, with 75 farmers opting for off-season cucumber cultivation, leading to expanded production areas.
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• “We expect a significantly higher yield than previous years,” she said, noting that the festival alone harvested 6 to 7 metric tonnes of cucumbers.