Ukhrul, September 19: The 14th edition of the famed Sirarakhong Hathei (Chilli) Festival, celebrating the unique GI-tagged chilli that has become the pride and livelihood of the Tangkhul community, came to an end on Thursday.
The final day of the three-day cultural and agricultural event featured a special seminar for chilli farmers, addressing issues of farmer empowerment, pest and disease management, and the immense potential of leveraging the GI tag for sustainable prosperity.
The farmer-focused seminar, held at the festival hall, brought together leading experts, including Lily Rose Jajo, Director of UDCRMS Ukhrul; Dr. Ngalaton Kasar, Assistant Professor (Entomology), FGI, CAS Henbung; and Dr. Star Luikham, Assistant Professor (Plant Pathology), FGI, CAS Henbung, as resource persons. The seminar was sponsored by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ukhrul.
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Lily Rose Jajo emphasized the importance of forming Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), which require just ten members to establish but offer massive advantages in collective marketing, bargaining power, and production coordination. With over 80 percent of Sirarakhong’s population engaged in chilli cultivation, she pointed out that every household is qualified to be part of such an organization.
Drawing attention to the Geographical Indication (GI) tag that the Hathei chilli has already secured since 2022, she urged farmers to explore organic cultivation. Going chemical-free, she explained, could command a premium market value. She underlined that the village has yet to fully tap the legal and economic benefits of GI tagging, which safeguards ownership, preserves cultural heritage, empowers the community, and can even boost rural tourism.
Presenting on pest-related threats, Dr. Ngalaton Kasar advised farmers to sow seeds at the correct time to avoid pest infestations and maximize harvests, while discouraging repeated cultivation of chilli in the same plots to prevent pests from thriving. Crop rotation, she said, is essential for soil and plant health.
Dr. Star Luikham identified anthracnose (fruit rot), damping off, and chilli wilt as the predominant diseases affecting the Hathei crop. He recommended measures such as deep ploughing, ensuring proper spacing and air circulation, timely removal of infected plants, and eco-friendly treatments. Both experts strongly promoted organic solutions and called for the conservation of natural enemies like ladybugs, spiders, hoverflies, and ground beetles, which act as bio-control agents against pests. They further suggested planting neem trees across the village, citing their dual role as natural pesticides and valuable medicinal resources.
The closing ceremony of the festival featured Ukhrul Deputy Commissioner Asish Das, IAS, as chief guest. Accompanied by his wife and children, the DC expressed gratitude for being invited to the festival for the first time and praised the village’s collective effort in preserving its traditional crop instead of turning to poppy or tobacco cultivation.
Invoking a biblical parable, he compared Sirarakhong to the faithful servant who multiplied his master’s talents, stating that the farmers’ commitment to expanding their gifts would surely bring future rewards. Drawing parallels with the successful Shirui Lily Festival, he announced the unveiling of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a multi-purpose hall for the village, a long-pending initiative pursued for over 50 years. The project, prepared by UDCRMS, is seen as a recognition of the community’s perseverance and dedication.
The festival also received institutional backing, with the North Eastern Council (NEC) extending financial support of ₹8 lakh in collaboration with EBADA.
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Despite the outbreak of anthracnose disease that impacted yield and quality, this year’s chilli sales showed a remarkable increase. According to Nimyui Zimik, Chairman of the Sirarakhong Hathei Promotion Society, nearly 5,000 kilograms of chillies were sold, with a harvest estimate ranging between 10,000 and 11,000 kg. This marked growth from last year’s sales of 3,500 kg from an estimated 7,000 kg harvest across 450–500 acres under cultivation.
The festival also celebrated individual achievements. Mr. and Mrs. Wungnaoleng Ramsan emerged as the top farmers this year, harvesting and turning out 500 kilograms of dry chillies.
Reflecting on the event’s legacy, Philangam V. Zimik, founder and driving force behind the Hathei Festival, expressed deep gratitude to the Almighty for the endemic chilli which has provided a livelihood for Sirarakhong village, and to the government and all well-wishers who have sustained the celebration for more than a decade. “I am very grateful to Almighty for the chilli, which provides the livelihood of Sirarakhong village, and thankful to everyone who has kept this festival alive to preserve and uphold the value of the Sirarakhong chilli,” she said.
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Over the past 14 years, the Sirarakhong Hathei Festival has steadily grown into a model of community-driven heritage preservation and sustainable rural livelihood. With its GI-tagged chilli as the centerpiece, the festival continues to shed light on the possibilities of organic farming, rural entrepreneurship, cultural pride, and eco-friendly practices. At a time when many villages face challenges from poppy and tobacco cultivation, Sirarakhong stands tall as a beacon of resilience and agricultural wisdom in Manipur’s hills.