The second edition of the watermelon festival began in Manipur with the main objective of promoting the cultivation of the fruit in the state.
Organised by the Nahakpam Foundation for Development (NFFD), in collaboration with watermelon farmers of the state, the 10-day festival, which concludes on June 10, is aimed at promoting the cultivation of watermelons.
Chairman of NFFD and organiser of the festival, Shanta Singh, said that their organisation was working in marketing the watermelons produced in the state, so that it can compete with the imports that come in from neighbouring Myanmar.
"This is the second time we have organised the festival. Our plan is to create some integrated farm market policy for growth of watermelon, because we see a lot of influx from Myanmar during the months of February, March and April but what we are trying to do is compete these watermelons with our local watermelons," said Singh.
The NFFD has brought in 13 groups of farmers from the state and given each of them a separate stall in the festival.
The body has calculated, that there are more that 1500 watermelon farmers in the state of Manipur, but all they need is an aggressive approach towards promotion of their produce.
Watermelon is extensively grown in some districts of Manipur like Thoubal and Imphal East.