Seiyhama Village, under Kohima District, is gearing up for its third consecutive Organic King Chilli – Naga Mircha Festival. The event will take place on 6th September at the Cultural Hall in Seiyhama Village. This year’s festival promises to be an exciting celebration of the region’s unique agricultural heritage.
The organizing committee announced the details during a press conference in Kohima today. Director of Horticulture Department, Meyasashi, has been invited as the Special Guest for the event. Savio Metha, General Secretary of the Organizing Committee, highlighted that various products including dry, fresh king chilli, pounded, pickled items of king chilli, organic vegetables, and fruits will be available for purchase. Additionally, king chilli in a tin box will be sold at a lower rate than market prices.
The festival will feature several exciting activities such as king chilly eating competitions and traditional games like bamboo walk, bamboo climbing, war cry, and catapult shooting. These competitions are open to all participants, with cash prizes awarded to the winners. The highest production of king chilly and best quality among cultivators will also be recognized with prizes.
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Organizers expect around 2500 kilograms (approximately 700 tins) of king chilly for the festival. Strategically placed during the highest month of harvest, this event will showcase one week’s harvest. As of 2024 data, Seiyhama village has 157 households cultivating king chilly. This year alone, they are expecting to harvest 14000 kilograms (4000 tins), generating revenue of around Rs. 60 lakhs.
Kevineizo Zumu, Information and Publicity Secretary, noted that the festival began in 2022 by leaders of the village who decided to organize this unique event with king chilly growers. Convener of the Festival and Chairman Lhoulalie Zumu emphasized that Seiyhama Village is one of the last villages in Northern Angami region bordering with Rengma tribe with a population of around 1200.
With suitable climatic conditions and spacious cultivable land, king chilli cultivation has been a boon for farmers in Seiyhama Village. The village practices strict adherence to organic farming by banning chemical fertilizers and pesticides. They use techniques like slash and burn and choose strategic places like banana or bamboo groves for cultivation. King chilli is cultivated only once a year with specific periods for each stage of cultivation.
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The village has four raja mircha varieties differentiated by color. The event is being sponsored by Horticulture Department, Government of Nagaland.
