Dimapur, Jan. 22: Over 250 lemon growers of Kachai village in Ukhrul district, Manipur, participated in the 13th Lemon Festival which was organised by the Kachai Farming & Processing Co-operative Society and supported by Manipur Organic Mission Agency, MOMA, Manipur Tourism and Manipur State AIDS Control Society, MSACS, Government of Manipur, on January 20.
Despite insufficient rainfall and increase in insect infestation, the annual yield of the Kachai lemon recorded over 5 metric tonnes this year. This figure was recorded as products sold in the annual lemon festival held on January 20.
Speaking to media persons, Kensith Horam, chairman of the Cooperative Society, lamented that despite getting the prestigious GI tag, Kachai Lemon production and popularity has not augmented as expect. He blamed the Government of Manipur for not giving due importance and attention.
The chairman also revealed that Kachai lemon farmers have decided to go organic and they are being assisted in this direction by MOMA, Department of Horticulture, Government of Manipur .
The Lemon Festival which featured a buyer-seller meet and an organic workshop conducted by MOMA, also gave away awards to lemon growers with scientists of ICAR as juries who judged the fruits on their size, the juice content and their ascorbic acid content.
Mrs V Ngamreila Sira bagged the best Kachai lemon, while the second best prize was given to Mrs K Rosy and Shoima Vashum got the third best prize. Three best exhibitors award were given to Theimi Vashum, Ringmichon Vashum and RK Ningtharla.
Kachai lemon is one among the ten horticultural products from North East India to get the GI tags and has the highest ascorbic acid, the highest so far in citrus fruit.
The annual Lemon Festival started in 2005 to promote and encourage lemon growers and the kachai lemon itself. Additional Director of Horticulture and Soil Conservator, AS Ningmi graced the festival as the chief guest, while K Jogeshchandra Sharma, Office-in-Charge of Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, Manipur; and K Debadutta Sharma, CEO of MOMA, were guests of honours, and M Kiran Kumar, District Horticulture Officer, Ukhrul, as president.
