AALO, Jan 16: The third edition of the Arunachal Pineapple Festival got off to a spirited start at Bagra village in West Siang district today, with Lumla MLA and Advisor to Departments of Planning and Women & Child Development Tsering Lhamu, APIDFCL Chairman Nani Lajie, and Director Horticulture (GoAP) Tobom Bam, inaugurating the three-day festival.
The Arunachal Pineapple Festival Bagra (APFB) is an agro-based festival that began in the year 2024. Recognizing its importance, the State government has declared it as a calendar event. The festival is jointly organized by the Department of Horticulture, and the Bagra Welfare Society.
Speaking as chief guest on the occasion, MLA Lhamu said that Bagra circle is blessed with fertile soil, especially suitable for pineapple cultivation. She noted that the income of pineapple growers is steadily increasing due to various welfare schemes initiated by the State government. She exhorted farmers to make Bagra a “Pineapple Bowl” of the state and the country, while assuring the organizers of fulfilling some of their demands.
In his address, Lajie stated that the State government will soon revive the non-functional fruit processing unit at Nigmoi near Doji Jeko. He added that the government is planning to establish a Mega Food Park at Nigmoi, as the entire Pushi–Bagra region is highly suitable for horticultural farming. He further stated that these mega projects are being initiated by the local elected representative Topin Ete (MLA Aalo West), and are expected to be completed before 2029.
Addressing the gathering, Bam encouraged farmers to expand pineapple cultivation along with allied farming activities for sustainable livelihood development. The Director stated that from this year onwards the Horticulture Dept (GoAP) is supporting and leading the APFB as this will be an annual event, and called upon the people of the area to properly conserve the rivers and streams.
Local MLA Topin Ete, in his speech, urged farmers to cultivate more pineapples and allied fruit crops, stating that the produce from the region is of excellent quality and is being exported to countries such as Singapore and Saudi Arabia.
On the occasion, Arunicellar Estate (Pineapple Wine) and a pamphlet of the Horticulture Dept were also launched.
An interactive session was held among pineapple stakeholders, including growers, officials from APEDA, the Horticulture Dept, banks, and industrialists. The pineapple growers were represented by Liyi Bagra, Deputy Commissioner Tirap, and Dr Gerik Bagra, Scientist ICAR, Basar. During the interaction, important issues related to exports, marketing, and loan procedures were discussed, benefiting many farmers with valuable knowledge.
ABWS president Dumar Bagra, and Jt Director Health (retd) Dr Dubom Bagra, also spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, while welcoming the dignitaries and guests, Tumi Bagra, Organizing president APFB 3.0, highlighted the abundant cultivation of pineapple in Bagra circle and its vast potential for commercial growth.
Among others, West Siang Deputy Commissioner Techu Aran, West Siang ZPC Nyali Bagra, ZPMs of West Siang and Tawang districts, industrialists, exporters, HoDs, PRIs, senior retired officers, cultural troupes, and the public, attended the event.
Later, Yomli Jini, District Horticulture Officer (Aalo), also spoke.