Sirarakhong Chilli Festival cancelled

By Our Staff Reporter
UKHRUL, Aug 20: As there will be no Hathei Phanit (Chilli Festival) this year due to COVID-19 pandemic, chillies grown at Sirarakhong under  Lungchong Maiphei Block of  Ukhrul district might be released directly for marketing, said Niangkham Zimik, chairman of Sirarakhong Hathei Committee.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, Niangkham Zimik said that villagers of Sirarakhong,  as practised by their forefathers,  grow organic chillies for food and livelihood security.
The 10th edition of Hathei Phanit was held in 2019.
Continuing that a Shillong based company EBATA is a regular client of Sirarakhong chillies, Niangkham said that the company had also extended monetary aid in the earlier editions of Hathei Phanit.
This village in Ukhrul district produces king chillies worth  Rs 20 to 30 lakh and long chillies worth Rs 40 to 50 lakh annually, the chairman said adding that about 300 farmers in this village cultivate chillies.
Continuing that bulk of king chillies have already been procured by companies and individuals based in Imphal, the chairman explained that the transaction was done outside the gate of Sirarakhong, as entry into the village is prohibited as a COVID preventive measure.
 A10-day total shut down have been imposed at certain villages of Ukhrul such as Tongnou, Sirarakhong, Tuinam, Somdal, Tolai, Ngainga, Lamlang etc, the chairman said and added  chillies growers are now worried if they would be left on the losing end as the COVID situation only seems to be worsening.
Niangkham informed that a meeting will be convened after 10 days to discuss ways to release these chillies (both fresh and dried).
Apart from chillies, villagers of Sirarakhong also plant rice and seasonal vegetables such as cauliflowers, cabbages, potatoes, pumpkins, tomatoes, brinjals etc., he said.
Lastly, the chairman thanked Manipur Organic Mission Agency (MOMA) for providing a vehicle to transport Sirarakhong chillies recently.