A historic festival also can be termed as first of its kind, Naga Mircha (Naga King Chilli) Festival 2022 was organised on Saturday at Seiyhama Village, Kohima. The Department of Horticulture sponsored the festival.
Mr. Vibeilietuo Kets , President, NDPP (Nagaland Democratic Progressive Party) 11th Northern Angami II who was the special guest of the event said, “This Naga Mircha (King Chilli) Festival is believed to create a significant development in the farming sector”.
He also said that these Naga Mircha produced at Seiyhama is of good quality and these chilli should be strategically produced on a large scale so as to make it available in the market throughout the year at a cheaper rate.
He further added that , since the villagers are actively involved in the cultivation of Naga Mircha, the Horticulture Department should also extend their support by imparting scientific-technical support and training to the farmers.
However Senka Jamir ,District Horticulture Officer Kohima, informed that the Horticulture Department has chosen “Botsa block” a focus area covering almost 100 hectares for Naga Mircha cultivation. Further adding he says that because of diverse agro-climatic conditions and major suitable areas for horticultural crops, Nagaland can become a Land of Horticulture. Encouraging the farmers and the concerned to work hard ,Senka Jamir said that Naga Mirchi has been produced in a proper way by the famers tagged with the Geographical Identification GI.
Naga Mircha was the first product to receive a GI tag from Nagaland. Naga Mircha has been grabbing the spot among the top five in the list of the world’s hottest chilies based on the SHUs. Also referred as ‘Raja Mircha’, ‘Bhoot Jolokia’ or ‘Ghost Pepper’, this chilli attained Geographical Indication (GI) certification in 2008. It belongs to genus Capsicum of family Solanaceae.
Lhoulalie Zumu , Convenor Organising Committee of the Festival also mentioned that around 200 households are involved in the Naga mircha cultivation and last year the village generated an amount of 27 lakh rupees which is expected to generate triple amount this year.
Lhoulalie Zumu further said that because of the benefits and success received from Naga mircha , this has also encouraged the unemployed youth and has given them a boost to engage themselves in the Naga Mircha Cultivation.
King chilli festival will be held annually from now on with financial assistance sponsored by the Department of Horticulture, Kohima.
