GI tag sits well on Sirarakhong chilli

Mungchan Zimik
UKHRUL, Aug 29 : The unique and popular Sirarakhong Hathei Chilli has received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, announced village chairman V Ningkhan during the celebration of 13th Hathei Chilli Festival at Sirarakhong village in Ukhrul district, today.
Sirarakhong Hathei, a long chilli which have a unique taste grows only at Sirarakhong village and the village has been celebrating the festival to honour the crop.
Harvest of Sirarakhong Hathei is usually done during August-September.
Meanwhile, the two day chilli festival was inaugurated by Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Minister Khashim Vashum Minister at Sirarakhong Village Hall.
Altogether nine stalls were opened on the first day of the festival, selling dried Sirarakhong chilli at Rs 1000 per kg  and the fresh at Rs 200 per kg.
The two day festival is being organised by Sirarakhong Hathei Promotion Committee (SHPC) under the sponsorship  of NEC through EBADA, Manipur Horticulture & Soil Conservation & MOMA.
Khashim Vashum hoisted a flag and declared the festival open in the presence of Ukhrul Deputy Commissioner Kengoo Zuringla, SDO  Rohini Kumar, headman, village chairman and women and youth leaders.
On the occasion, the Minister said that Sirarakhong chilli is a valuable asset for the district particularly Sirarakhong village while acknowledging the efforts being put in by the locals in promoting the indigenous crop.
The Sirarakhong Hathei chilli bagging a GI tag is a matter of pride of 'our community,' he added.
Stating that Ukhrul is blessed with a variety of crops having unique features such as Sirarakhong chilly, Kachai lemon, Ukhrul Skosh (Chayote), Tusom rice etc, Khashim Vashum maintained that all these crops have high commercial value.
He appealed to the local farmers to not use chemical fertilizers to increase the production of Sirarakhong chilli as the same practice will compromise the the quality of the crop.
Ukhrul DC Kengoo Zuringla also appealed to the farmers to  preserve distinctiveness of the indigenous crop.
The villagers should work together to boost the village economy as the demand of Sirarakhong chilli is already high,  she said.
Meanwhile, Sirarakhong village chairman V Ningkhan stated that Sirarakhong Hathei chilli bagged the GI tag in June 2024.
He also informed that the this year Sirarakhong Hathei chilli production is 25-30 thousand kg.
The festival wasn't celebrated for two years due to Covid pandemic.