Photo Courtesy: nenews
Guwahati: The second Tezpur Litchi Festival kicked off on Saturday at the District Library Auditorium in Tezpur, aiming to expand the global market for the region's famous GI-tagged fruit. The two-day event connects local farmers, entrepreneurs, and exporters with domestic and international buyers to establish stronger supply chains.
Sonitpur District Commissioner Anand Kumar Das, who serves as the organizing committee president, announced that the region is actively increasing its export footprint. Plans include shipping one tonne of litchi to Dubai, followed by a separate consignment to Singapore. Das noted the symbolic and promotional efforts surrounding the event, stating, “We are also sending nearly 100 packets of litchi to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yesterday, litchis were sent to the Chief Minister as well. Through this festival, we hope Tezpur litchi will gain wider international recognition.”
More than 50 exhibitors and nearly 30 farmers are participating in the festival. Attendees include 20 buyers from across the country and abroad who are engaging in technical discussions and buyer-seller meetings. The event also honored Padmanath Gohain Baruah, the pioneer credited with introducing superior litchi varieties to the area.
Sonitpur MP Ranjit Dutta highlighted the potential for growth through fruit processing, suggesting that freeze-dried product industries could offer new economic avenues for local growers. As the festival concludes on June 7, the program will feature workshops on scientific cultivation, food technology, and the advantages of maintaining GI certification.
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