After a gap of two years, the state-level orange festival has returned to Tamenglong district in Manipur, bringing visible relief and renewed optimism to orange growers whose earnings had been badly affected during the ongoing conflict in the state. The festival, now in its 18th edition, began on December 17 at the district mini stadium and is scheduled to conclude today. The event has been organised by the Manipur government with the stated objective of boosting the livelihood of local orange farmers and highlighting Tamenglong as a tourism destination built around its well-known GI-tagged fruit. For many growers, the return of the festival is not just a cultural celebration. It is seen as a chance to restore earnings that were disrupted in the last two years. Farmers running stalls at the venue said that the festival provides a much-needed market space at a time when transport challenges and safety concerns have made it difficult to sell oranges in other parts of the state.
Several growers expressed that being able to sell directly to buyers is one of the most important aspects of the festival. They said that direct sales allow them to avoid middlemen, which means they can earn a better price for their harvest. Many farmers shared that in the absence of the festival over the last two years, large quantities of oranges were left unsold or had to be sold to traders at low prices. Despite the encouraging atmosphere, participation appears lower compared to previous editions of the festival. Growers pointed to continuing law-and-order concerns as a primary reason. Many said people from Imphal and nearby areas are reluctant to travel due to safety issues. Some farmers stated that the festival would have felt more meaningful if people from across Manipur were able to attend freely without fear. They said a larger turnout from visitors could have improved sales further and boosted confidence among growers. Additional District Magistrate Chunglenmang Kipgen told reporters that attendance has been encouraging, considering the current situation. He said that visitors from several districts have arrived for the event.
Kipgen also acknowledged that in earlier editions, there had been criticism that cultural programmes had overshadowed farmers’ concerns. He remarked that this year officials tried to shift the focus back toward growers. The administration expanded farmer-centred activities, consultations, and seminars with the intention of addressing longstanding issues faced by orange growers in the district.Along with stalls selling oranges and local produce, the festival features seminars and technical sessions on improving cultivation practices. Officials said the seminars focus on soil health, pest control methods, post-harvest handling, and sustainable farming techniques to improve both yield and quality. Cultural and recreational activities have also been organised. These include performances by eight music bands from within and outside the state, art fairs, literary discussions, indigenous wrestling competitions, land and water sports, and trekking and camping expeditions, including tours to the well-known Tharon Cave.
