Two-day Pineapple Fest 2017 begins in Dimapur

Dimapur (Nagaland) [India], Aug. 8 (ANI): A two-day Pineapple Fest 2017 got underway at the Agri Expo Site 4th Mile Dimapur here on Tuesday under the theme, "Naga Pineapple- Subsistence to Enterprise". Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh Governor P.B. Acharya was the chief guest and Nagaland Minister of Horticulture (DB and GB), Kejong Chang was the guest of honour. Addressing the inaugural programme P.B. Acharya reminded that the ultimate goal of organizing such fest would be meaningful only if ideas could be worked out and put into action to take Nagaland pineapple production to a higher level. He impressed upon the gathering on the importance of showcasing, marketing and preserving Nagaland pineapples while also mentioning about the sweetness of its taste and also mooted the idea of constituting a committee within three months on PPP mode, comprising of Secretary (Horticulture) and members from Horticulture Department along with farmers to make a team and to find out possibilities for market linkages, value addition and processing. The governor accompanied by his lady wife inaugurated the pineapple stalls put up by 11 districts of Nagaland. Minister Chang in his brief address lauded the farmers for showcasing their products and encouraged them to take Nagaland pineapples to the national level. "The sweetest pineapple found in India is from Nagaland because the soil is conducive and it is organic," he maintained. Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Center, Medziphema, Dr. D.J.Rajkhowa presented a brief note on Naga pineapple. He informed that presently Nagaland produces six tons per hectare as compared to Assam which produces 15 tons per hectare. He observed that the soil and climate conditions in Nagaland are very favourable and said that the state has tremendous potentials for enhancing productivity. Joint Director, Horticulture, Dr.Elithung Lotha delivered the key note address. Pineapple farmers from all districts of Nagaland participated in the festival. (ANI)