Salhoutuonuo Kruse first woman minister kicks off Orange festival

Kohima: Nagaland’s first woman minister, Salhoutuonuo Kruse eagerly awaited the 4th Organic Orange Festival at Rüsoma village, about 13 km from the capital Kohima.
In a special boost to Rüsoma’s orange growers and farmers in general, Kurse, Minister for Women Resource Development and Horticulture, promised to designate the village as a “Horti Model Village” by 2025, which Dedicated assistance schemes were brought in to help them in their development.
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Cruz praised Rüsoma for being one of the most thriving orange growing villages in Kohima district.
Shee said that this success is the result of dedicated efforts of farmers. Despite the achievements, she said there is a need to improve cross-cultural practices by adopting traditional wisdom while integrating modern techniques to keep pace with the dynamic developments in horticulture.

She pointed out that the Department of Horticulture, Nagaland, has been providing advanced drip irrigation units to progressive orange growers of Rüsoma and that this support is a testament to the commitment of the government’s commitment to uplift farming practices and ensure sustainable growth.

The Horticulture minister assured that the department would provide market links for farmers when they yield more fruits and require market beyond the district and state. She highlighted that organic fruits and vegetables hold high value and generate huge revenue which can boost the local economy.

She also highlighted the health benefits of the fruit and encouraged farmers to continue the good farming practices.

Convenor of the festival, Visier Vimera, in his keynote address, recalled that the popular fruit festival was introduced for the first time in 2020. As an annual affair since then, he said that the festival is a celebration of the rich agriculture, heritage and versatility of oranges.

The festival, he said, serves as an exposure for farmers to undergo a productive change of mindset. At Rüsoma, the resident’s love for oranges was evident as orange trees were grown in kitchen gardens. This citrusy wonders, he informed, can yield a staggering 70-80kg per tree.

Besides oranges and orange products, other handloom and handicrafts products, fruit and vegetable seeds, art, organic fruits and vegetables were put on sale.

While Kekhrie Pfukha chaired the inaugural ceremony, Rüsoma Village Council chairman Kehouchükhrie led the congregation in prayer During the event, Seyie Kru Cultural Troop presented a folk song. Minister Kruse inaugurated the stalls after the formal ceremony.