Photo Courtesy: nagalandpost
Kohima: Sapotimi village in the Zunheboto district hosted its first Chilli Festival on July 17. The event, held under the theme Let’s Celebrate Our Spice, Our Pride, received sponsorship from the Nagaland Department of Horticulture. It showcased the region's recent gains in sustainable farming and chilli cultivation.
District Horticulture Officer Dr. Along Tzudir attended as the special guest alongside members of the Farmers Wing NPF Zunheboto Division and the Zunheboto District Tourism Association. Dr. Tzudir praised the villagers for their discipline. He noted, "The village has never disappointed the department; instead, its success has inspired officials to remain even more committed to supporting its agricultural progress."
The department adopted Sapotimi as a horticulture village to forge a partnership with local growers. Officials promised future technical support and new initiatives to help young people treat agriculture as a profitable business rather than mere survival. Longsa Village Council Chairman L. Bendang also attended, citing Sapotimi’s work as a model for neighboring communities.
Lead Farmer Tokugha Sumi outlined the village's agricultural history. He explained that farming has been the primary occupation for generations. A major shift occurred in 2021 when the Department of Horticulture officially designated the area a Chilli Village. The government provided quality seeds and helped implement a relay cropping system. These technical changes increased yields significantly. Farmers now produce enough for household needs and sell the remainder at the market.
The event schedule included an invocation by Rev. Vitoshe and a welcome address by Khekuto Akukau. Libotoli, the Village Level Officer, delivered the vote of thanks, while Aloto Y/L offered a benediction. The festival concluded with an inspection of local produce stalls and a community chilli feast.
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