Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: The two-day Tezpur Litchi Festival began on June 6, showcasing the region's famous GI-tagged fruit and its expanding global reach. Held across multiple venues including the District Library Auditorium and Anand Chandra Agarwala Park, the event unites farmers, exporters, and policymakers to celebrate the agricultural heritage of the region.
A primary highlight of the opening day involved the announcement of new export agreements. Anand Kumar Das confirmed that one tonne of Tezpur litchis will be shipped to Dubai, with an additional 500 kilograms heading to Singapore. Organizers also plan to send 100 boxes of premium fruit to the Prime Minister's Office.
Entrepreneurs at the festival highlighted the potential for value-added goods. Biswajit Saikia displayed dehydrated litchi products that remain shelf-stable for nearly six months. He noted that the growing agro-processing sector is creating new opportunities, stating, "Innovative products such as litchi chips and expanding export opportunities are expected to open new avenues for entrepreneurship, boost farmers' incomes and further strengthen the global reputation of Assam's prized GI-tagged Tezpur litchi."
The event also featured technical seminars on food processing and branding strategies. India Post commemorated the festival by unveiling a special postal cover, and ten farmers received recognition for their contributions to litchi quality. To inspire younger generations, the Indian Army distributed litchi saplings to NCC cadets, promoting both horticulture and environmental stewardship.
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