Naga Mircha Festival at Seiyhama on September 6

August 31, 2024 16 Views No Comment

Morung Express news
Kohima | August 31

For the 3rd consecutive edition, Seiyhama Village under Kohima District is bringing the Organic King Chilli- Naga Mircha Festival 2024 at Seiyhama village on September 6.

Inviting the public, to come and witness the festival, the organizing committee during a press conference here at Kohima today announced that the festival will be held at the Cultural hall, Seiyhama from 10:00 am with Horticulture department Director, Meyasashi as the guest.

Highlighting about the festival, Savio Metha, General secretary of the Organizing committee said that at the festival, varieties such as dry, fresh king chilly, pounded, pickled items of king chilly, organic vegetables and fruits will be available for purchasing. Additionally he said, the King chilli in a tin box will be available at a lower rate than market.

There will be food stalls where visitors can get a chance to taste the cuisine of Seiyhama village.

The festival will see other highlights including king chilly eating and traditional games like Bamboo walk, bamboo climbing, war cry and catapult shooting.

The organisers informed that the competition is open to all and cash prizes will be given to the winners.

The price for highest production of king chilly and best quality among the cultivators will also be given, Metha also said.

The organizers said this year they are expecting expecting to have around 2500 kilograms almost equivalent to 700 tons of king chilly for the festival.

Strategically placed during the highest month of harvest, the General secretary said the festival will feature one week harvest, they added.

According to the organizers, it was informed that as of 2024 data, the village have 157 households cultivating king chilly.

In 2024, the village expecting to harvest 14000 kilograms that is 4000 tins.

The revenue earned would be around Rs. 60 lakhs.

The organizers further said they are expecting visitors and well further from Kohima and other districts.

Kevineizo Zumu, Information and Publicity Secretary said that the Festival began in 2022 by leaders of the village who took a firm decision with the king chilly growers of Seiyhama village to organize a first of its kind event.

Convener of the Festival and Chairman Lhoulalie Zumu while speaking about Seiyhama Village, informed that it is one of the last village in the Northern Angami region bordering with the Rengma tribe having around 1200 population.

It is 42 kilometres away from the village which is located at a hilltop.

With suitable climatic condition and spacious cultivable land, the convener said that King chilli cultivation has been a boon for the farmers to generate income to the families of the village.

He mentioned farming techniques, strict adherence to organic farming by banning use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, practicing slash and burn, choosing strategic places like banana or bamboo groves for cultivation were informed.

The convener also stated that King chilli is cultivated only once in a year which has its period for preparation of the various stages of cultivation.

Zumu also said that the village have 4 Raja mircha varieties whos variation are differentiated by the colour.
The event is being sponsored by Horticulture department, Government of Nagaland.