SHILLONG, DEC 9: ‘Living Roots’, a society having a conglomeration of different villages in East Khasi hills region, will hold a one-day “Orange Festival” to promote organic farming among the farmers’ community and also as part of promoting eco-tourism.
Under the theme – ‘Go orange, grow organic’, the festival will be held at parking lot, Pynursla village on November 12, Living Roots president Ian Khongmen told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.
“The festival aims at promoting orange which is unique product as well as organic farming which will not affect the health being of the people,” he said.
Stating that alongside the festival, a living root trial trek will also be organized, Khonmen said, “We want to promote eco-tourism which the region has immense potentials besides promoting indigenous knowledge,” adding “The root bridge is one such traditional knowledge which is not to be found anywhere except here.”
Farmers from at least 15 villages will be showcasing the different varieties of oranges grown from the region, he said.
Meghalaya is famous for its indigenous oranges popularly known as ‘Khasi Mandarin’. However, farmers have been shifting to other occupation due to problem of parasites while growing the oranges.
This was revealed by Living Roots general secretary Howson Khongsit who said, “Orange cultivation has witnessed a decline in the region (Ri War).” According to him, 15 – 20 years ago, farmers from the region used to produce at least more than 100 trucks of oranges per season annually.
“But now, even two to three trucks seem impossible for them because of the effect of parasites which has discouraged the farmers to cultivate orange. Till date there is no remedy to this problem,” he lamented.
With this view in mind, Khongsit said the festival aims at reviving back the orange cultivation in the region by encouraging farmers to find out ways and means to overcome the problem.
Living Roots leaders, however, said that the state government has a major role to play in addressing the problem faced by farmers by engaging research and study and coming up with remedial measures on this issue.- By Our Reporter
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