Bountiful Apple Orchards of Thanamir Poised for Export Potential
Nestled at the base of Mount Saramati, bordering Indo-Myanmar, Thanamir village in Kiphire district is undergoing a quiet yet profound agricultural transformation. Once a mere garden venture, apple farming has now become a vital way of life for the villagers. A tree in every kitchen garden and farm now symbolizes Thanamir’s thriving apple cultivation, offering both sustenance and economic lifeline.
The recent 15th Thanamir Apple Festival showcased the village’s rich apple varieties, including stone, black, green, red, golden yellow, and yellow apples. The origins of apple farming in Thanamir trace back to the early 1980s when a village guard, T Ningtsemong, received four apples from an army quartermaster. This modest gift ignited a tradition that now permeates every household.
Today, Thanamir boasts between 57,000 to 76,000 apple trees, spanning over 550 to 750 acres. Chief Executive Officer of Thanamir Organic Producer Company Limited (TOPCL), Topanthong, highlighted the expansion of apple farming, noting that many villagers in towns and cities own farms back home.
However, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Annually producing 40-50 tonnes of apples, the village struggles with inadequate storage, financial constraints, poor road connectivity, and insufficient scientific and technical knowledge. Marketing often relies on a local trader who sells the apples in Kohima, Dimapur, and beyond. High demand has seen traders book the apples months in advance.
TOPCL has supplied 4,757 apple saplings to various regions, including Myanmar and Malaysia. The company has urged the Department of Horticulture to establish a nursery for sapling production, aimed at meeting local and international demands. Thanamir’s Village Council Chairman, Tsechimong, emphasized the village’s potential to become an export hub with proper support.
Ultimately, with improved infrastructure and consistent support, Thanamir’s apples could symbolize resilience and hope, transforming the village into a thriving export center.
Original Story https://www.morungexpress.com/blossoming-potential-apple-farming-sprouts-hope-in-thanamir
Category : Morung Exclusive , Nagaland
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