Kohima agriculture agency offers sales platform

Customers visiting the sales day event at the Old NST Station in Kohima town. Our Correspondent KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 4 To give a fillip to the local farming community, the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), of Kohima organized a sales day and exhibition competition on Wednesday for village marketing committees under Kohima district. The sales day, which is the first of its kind in Kohima district, had the participation of 57 VMCs selling their local organic products. Lodged at the centre point of the State capital, Old NST Complex, the area was bustling with activity as villages set up stalls with varied local organic vegetables, weaves, fruits, flowers, eatables, chicken, handloom and handicrafts. It was a sight to behold as it displayed a riot of colors and presented a very aesthetic view. People thronged the venue in large number to get a taste of the best local produced - be it Naga King Chilli, pumpkin, yam, ash gourd, brinjal, chow chow, and many more, all in affordable prices.According to the Chairman of APMC, Kevinourheno Seyie, the said programme was the first ever sales day amongst APMCs in Kohima district with the participation of 57 VMCs. “We are organizing this exhibition-cum-competition to encourage the farmers, so that they will not just produce at random, but to also produce quality. Director of Horticulture, Watienla Jamir lauded the APMC, Kohima district, for coming up with the initiative in organizing the sales day. She expressed delight that positive changes are starting to take place in the State. Watienla further proposed the need to organize such sales day more often in order to encourage and boost the confidence of the vegetable growers. “I felt encouraged to see the enthusiasm of the farmers. This is a good time for families to shop their wares under one roof,” she stated. Village Council chairman of Phekerükriema village, Neilhousalie, who was a participant, thanked the APMC Kohima district on behalf of the participants. Stating that it has been beneficial taking part in the sales-cum-exhibition, he requested for organizing more of such sales day. “This experience has been an eye opener to learn more about others,” he stated while he also gave the commitment to do better in the near future. The programme was sponsored by the Horticulture Department, District Agriculture Office, Deputy Commissioner, Kohima, Chairman and Member Secretary APMC Kohima. Apart from the sales day-cum-exhibition, competition was also held on various vegetable items. The participants were given certificates while 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners in each category received a cash award of Rs.3000, 2000 and 1000 respectively. Competitions were held on items such as - cabbage, Naga King Chilly, yam, pumpkin, flowers, chow chow, ginger, etc. Local artiste Setso Liegise performed for the gathering with locally popular songs.