The 3rd edition of the Off-Season Cucumber Festival 2024 took place at the Village Playground in Aliba Village, Mokokchung District, today, with Veyielo Doulo, Director of Tourism, Nagaland, as the Special Invitee.
In his address, Veyielo Doulo stated, “Through your Cucumber Festival, you are fostering unity among the Nagas.” He emphasized that a festival is not merely a display but a blessing to be shared. Doulo expressed his appreciation for the hard work and dedication required to produce cucumbers during the dry season, acknowledging all the farmers, Village Councils, and the Organizing Committee.
He praised the village’s ability to produce cucumbers during the dry season as “wonderful” and speculated that they must have employed traditional scientific methods, commending their efforts.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Doulo highlighted the role of such festivities in bringing people, communities, and tribes together to promote unity, prosperity, and harmony while fostering friendship and peace within the community.
Doulo shared insights on the process of growing and producing off-season cucumbers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the Village’s uniqueness while tackling the challenge of dry-season production. He highlighted the significance of festivals, village culture, and tourism promotion, citing Aliba as an ‘iconic’ destination.
Doulo assured to increase tourism to Aliba Village and urged the Village Council and residents to prepare for home stay services, with training provided by the tourism department. He emphasized that tourists would come not only for cucumbers but also to explore the village’s beauty, encouraging the creation of proper tourism guides and brochures. Additionally, Doulo mentioned the medical value of cucumbers and encouraged farmers to continue their hard work, noting its benefits to many.
Tatongkaba Pongen, Convenor of the Organising Committee, expressed gratitude towards the farmers for their tireless efforts in producing cucumbers, attributing the success of the festival to their hard work. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging their dedication, stating, “The farmers have worked hard, and all we can do is buy the fruits of their labor.
The Chairman of Aliba Village Council, in his address, recounted the genesis of the village’s festival, citing the enduring efforts of local farmers who have cultivated cucumbers for nearly five decades. Recognizing their dedication, the village formed an organizing committee to showcase their produce to the world. He commended the committee for successfully organising the Off-Season Cucumber Festival for the third consecutive year. Additionally, he extended gratitude to the farmers, self-help groups (SHGs), and villagers, acknowledging their profound influence and encouraging them to continue their fruitful production. Despite adverse weather conditions damaging cucumber plants, this year saw a record-breaking yield of 22,000 cucumbers, an increase from previous editions. The Chairman attributed this achievement to divine blessings and concluded his address by emphasizing the value of hard work, stating, “Hard work is never wasted.”
The 80 to 90 Aliba Cucumber Farmers were honored, with the oldest man named Imnanichet and the eldest woman named Imchasungla receiving awards. A total of around 22 thousand cucumbers were displayed during the festival for sale.
Temjentola, Secretary of the Organising Committee, informed Nagaland Tribune that this year they aimed to increase cucumber production compared to previous years. Despite planting five thousand extra cucumber plants, heavy rainfall led to waterlogging, damaging the plants during fruit-bearing stage. However, she expressed satisfaction that despite the challenges, they managed to yield a total of 22 thousand cucumbers for the festival. She also commended the strong turnout despite adverse weather conditions, noting a continuous influx of buyers from neighboring villages and Mokokchung Town. Additionally, she mentioned the participation of 20 farmers from Tuensang District, led by Toshimongla, Project Director Mokokchung, as part of a study-cum-exposure tour for farmer-to-farmer interaction and field visits. Temjentola highlighted the presence of farmers from Longleng, Zunheboto, and Wokha districts in previous editions.
Imnanichet (Left) and 90 years old Ibanglangba displaying his handicrafts work at the 3rd Cucumber Festival 2024 at Aliba Village
Furthermore, a buyer mentioned to NT that cucumbers were in high demand in Kohima and Dimapur from relatives, friends, and well-wishers, indicating they had procured sufficient quantities to meet the demand.
77 years-old Imnanichet from Aliba, who was awarded the title of the oldest man among the male farmers, revealed to Nagaland Tribune that he has been cultivating cucumbers for 15 years. This year, he planted 330 cucumber plants with the intention of contributing to the festival. However, he expressed disappointment as heavy rainfall adversely impacted his cucumber harvest, resulting in a lower yield than anticipated. Despite this setback, he extended gratitude to the organizing committee, the village council, and various departments for their support.
The event also featured various exhibits and events, including off-season cucumbers, ethnic cuisines, vegetable seeds, bio-pesticides, Nagaland’s Biggest Logdrum, interactions between farmers and scientists, field visits to cucumber farms, angling at Dzuvi Valley, tools and implements, handicrafts, organic vegetables, shiitake mushrooms, and pickles.
Additionally, the festival also hosted competition events powered by Hills Agro Agency, including Go-Karting, Bamboo Pole climbing, Catapult Shooting, and Bamboo Stilt Race with Entry fees and Winners receiving exciting prizes.
Temjentola, the Secretary of the Organizing Committee, chaired the program. Tatongkaba Pongen, Chairman of the Aliba Village Council, delivered a short speech, while Lipokmar, the Convenor of the Organizing Committee, gave the welcome address. Rongsennungla Imchen, a member of the Organizing Committee, expressed words of thanks.
Read more: Aliba Village to host 3rd edition of Cucumber Festival 2024 on 10th May
