Asem Bhakta, Special Correspondent North East
Senapati: The 6th Manipur State-Level Kiwi Fruit Festival was celebrated with much enthusiasm at Thingba Khunou Village, Senapati District, highlighting Manipur’s achievements in organic kiwi farming. The festival was organized by the Senapati Producer’s Organisation of Organic Kiwi Fruit (SPOOOK) with support from the North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of DoNER, Government of India, in collaboration with the Eastern Border Areas Development Authority (EBADA), the Mission on Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), and the Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA) under the state’s Horticulture and Soil Conservation Department.
Dignitaries Present:
The festival was graced by notable dignitaries, including Chief Guest Shri Jhaithuilung Pamei, IAS, Commissioner of Horticulture and Soil Conservation and Member Secretary (EBADA & BRVDD); Guest of Honour Shri Chungong Pamei, Mission Director (MIDH); Functional President Shri P.T. Darii, Chairman of Thingba Khunou Village; and Resource Person K. Thaipei Sounai, Proprietor of Zhereih Foods. Moderators Lucy Th. & Moses Rong led the event, with a welcome address delivered by P.N. Heli, President of SPOOOK.
Festival Highlights
The festival served as a platform to showcase the state’s strides in kiwi cultivation and organic farming, bringing attention to the ongoing expansion under the Mission on Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH). Under this initiative, 165 hectares have been dedicated to kiwi cultivation in Senapati District, supported by a financial grant of Rs. 2,00,000 to SPOOOK for festival organization. Infrastructure improvements, including storage and marketing facilities in Thingba Khunou, have also been made.
Contributions from Supporting Agencies
MOMA Initiatives: Under Phase III (2020-21 to 2022-23), MOMA registered 115 organic kiwi farmers, who received planting materials and Rs. 15,000 each in financial aid. Additionally, 20 training sessions were conducted in organic kiwi farming. Facilities such as a collection center, processing units, solar-powered cold storage, and a custom hiring center have been set up. MOMA also marketed 3 MT of kiwi through Jeweled Organic Farmers Company Ltd. in October 2024.
North Eastern Council (NEC): Through EBADA, NEC is promoting an integrated farming system, providing 3,000 kiwi saplings, 300 bee boxes, 900 T-bar trellis systems, solar drying and pumping equipment, and a Bolero camper to enhance kiwi farming infrastructure and smallholder value chains.
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): As part of the 2024-25 initiative, T-bar trellis systems and kiwi saplings will be provided to selected beneficiaries to further encourage kiwi cultivation in Manipur.
The 2024 Kiwi Fruit Festival highlighted the collaborative efforts of government agencies and local organizations to promote high-value crop cultivation and empower farmers in Manipur. The event demonstrated how infrastructure development, financial assistance, and training are aiding the growth of a sustainable kiwi farming sector in the state.
