With the fields ripe with their fruit, the two-day Meghalaya Strawberry Festival began today in different parts of the state in an attempt to tie tourism to agriculture.
Each location offered something different in terms of activities, though strawberries were central to all. Locations like Sohliya, Umsning, Ri-Bhoi; Iewpynsing, Nohron, East Khasi Hills; Kynktieh, Syntung, East Khasi Hills; and Darechikgre, West Garo Hills welcomed visitors to participate and immerse themselves in activities such as strawberry picking, cycling treks, live music, cultural performances, a workshop on local beverages, among others.
Vijay Kumar D, Commissioner and Secretary in the Department of Tourism, stated at a programme held in Sohliya that strawberries thrive in Meghalaya due to favourable conditions and hardworking farmers. Additionally, he highlighted tourism as another advantage. He said that strawberry cultivation could be expanded four fold, from 25 to 100 acres, next year and possibly to 500 acres if market opportunities are tapped. Ri-Bhoi produces 2 to 3 tonnes of strawberries annually at present.
Meanwhile, speaking at one of the inaugural events at Syntung, Isawanda Laloo, Secretary in the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, expressed her gratitude to the Sordar, the people and especially the farmers for their hard work through which the strawberries of the village have garnered recognition.
She said that it is the first time that the strawberry festival is being held at Syntung, stating that the conditions for growing strawberries in the village are feasible, producing sweet and juicy fruits. The strawberries grown in the village can change and enable growth prospects of the entire village and region as the sales are growing exponentially and the farmers have gained income.
In Nohron, a strawberry farmer, Oscar Nongrum, informed that cultivation of the fruit in the village started in 2015 and has sustained the villagers. He added that the farmers steer clear of chemicals, instead preferring organic strawberry farming.
In Darechikgre, Deputy Commissioner of West Garo Hills Jagdish Chelani said that the strawberry festival has come out well to celebrate a product of Meghalaya which is a very nascent and niche market which can be developed beautifully.
“The strawberries with further processing of food can be utilised at a much higher price for the farmers of the region,” he said.
