Asem Bhakta
Special Correspondent North East
Imphal: The 22nd Kachai Lemon Festival, 2026, held at Kachai Local Ground, Ukhrul District, Manipur, was a resounding success. The three-day event, coinciding with the Golden Jubilee Celebration of Kachai Fruit Farming and Co-Processing Society Ltd., showcased the best of Kachai Lemon, a GI-tagged citrus fruit of Manipur.
Dignitaries like Shri Thaithuilung Pamei, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Horticulture & Soil Conservation), Government of Manipur, Shri Yeite Khupsorel Koireng, Joint Director (Horticulture), Shri Chungong Pamei, Mission Director, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), and the Deputy Commissioner, Ukhrul, graced the occasion.
They interacted with farmers, visited lemon orchards, and appreciated the efforts of farmers and cooperatives in promoting organic horticulture.
Shri Yangmiso Humao, a progressive farmer, shared his success story of producing 5,000 kg of Kachai Lemon in the first harvest, with over 4,500 plants in his orchard. He credited his success to the scientific knowledge gained from a training programme at ICAR, Central Citrus Research Institute (CCRI), Nagpur.
The festival highlighted the significance of Kachai Lemon in strengthening farmers’ livelihoods, promoting organic horticulture, and enhancing market opportunities. The dignitaries lauded the role of farmers, cooperatives, and line departments in sustaining and expanding Kachai Lemon cultivation.
The event received financial support from MIDH, Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA), and the North Eastern Council (NEC), reflecting the government’s commitment to horticulture development in the state. The festival was a testament to the power of collective efforts in promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development.
