Shillong, Dec 17: As a mark to celebrate the year of Horticulture 2012, the government of Meghalaya, East Khasi Hills District Arts and Culture society in collaboration with the District Horticulture office, East Khasi Hills Shillong, Synjuk Development SHG Nongsteng, Riti Academy of Visual Arts and the Meghalaya Rural Development Society will organised the Orange Festival 2012 on December 20 at Polo Ground.
The festival aimed at promoting and showcasing to the world the famous local oranges well known by the name Khasi Mandarin grown abundantly in Khasi and Jaintia Hills besides it is also aimed at capacity building and empowerment to farmers and local leaders on the tremendous benefits that can be acquired through orange farming.
Addressing a press conference at the Shillong press club on Monday Chairman of the Riti Academy of Visual Arts Raphael Warjri informed that the festivals aimed at showcasing some indigenous agro products with emphasis on citrus fruits and special contest flavour and distinction of Khasi mandarin oranges.
Warjri also said that the Khasi mandarin orange is one of the best citrus fruit species in the world. Meghalaya oranges from Wahkhen in the Ri-War region of the state were adjudged the best in the north eastern region and subsequently in the rest of India and could be best in the world.
Besides, he also mentioned that the so-called ‘Soh Sohra’ or Cherra Orange is actually grown in orchards from the sub-tropical ri-War region in the southern slopes of sohra and has derived its credibility of being the best oranges.
Further elaborating on the festival, Warjri informed that all together there are more than hundred team of participant from different part of the states with an inflow of more than 25,000 oranges.
Meanwhile, he also said that there will be folk entertainment programmes of music and dance throughout the day t enlighten the visitors.(SP News)
