Tura, May 2: The second edition of the highly anticipated Strawberry Festival kicked off at Darechikgre in Tura, but experienced an abrupt halt due to torrential rain and hailstorm shortly after its inauguration on Friday afternoon.
The two-day event was inaugurated by the newly appointed West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Vibhor Agarwal, carrying the significant theme of supporting local farmers and promoting the region’s strawberry production.
The inaugural ceremony was also attended by Thera Ch Marak, the District Horticulture Officer for West Garo Hills, where she highlighted the remarkable growth of strawberry farming in the region over the past year, attributing it to the government’s constant support and encouragement, which has motivated farmers to expand their strawberry cultivation.
Vibhor, in his address, discussed the unique appeal of strawberry fields and farms, describing them as novel and evoking positive emotions highlighting the importance of strawberry cultivation for the livelihood and revenue of the people in the region. He also mentioned the increase in the number of farms under cultivation from three to 14, indicating the government’s support for the initiative.
Vibhor also suggested that if marketed well, strawberry cultivation can boost tourism and livelihood in the region, comparing the potential of the region to famous strawberry areas like Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra. He further emphasized the advantage of organic farming in the region and the potential for exports to attract better pricing.
He also encouraged the Horticulture Department to approach the administration for support and to complement the initiative with district-level schemes, supporting farmers to maintain momentum.
The festival grounds were alive with a range of engaging activities designed to attract visitors, including strawberry picking, horse riding, and cycling. Despite the promising start and the initial excitement, the festivities were unfortunately curtailed as a sudden and intense downpour accompanied by hailstones swept through the area, forcing a premature suspension of the day’s events.
Organized by Meghalayan Age Limited, the state’s Tourism and Agriculture departments, and Artsourced, the festival aimed to promote agro-tourism, support rural economies, and boost local farmers.
This festival stands as a collaborative endeavour between the Departments of Tourism and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, strategically aimed at fostering agro-tourism within the state of Meghalaya.
Also Read: Meghalaya gears up for monsoon with disaster preparedness drive
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