Orange festival in Manipur

Tamenglong (Manipur), Dec.15 (ANI): People are thronging Orange festival organised in Manipur's Tamenglong District.

Organised by the horticulture department, the festival aims at promoting the cultivation of orange over the region.

Manipur Chief Minister Ibobi Singh inaugurated the festival.

Hundreds of varieties of oranges were displayed in the festival.

The main aim of the orange festival was to provide an opportunity to the orange farmers to sell their oranges and display their product.

One of the important reasons for organising the festival was the declining production of oranges due to the poor management of the orchards.

"We have organised this as a part of orange festival this year and the main reason behind this is that all oranges in the districts are dying out and it has been the economic mainstay of the district especially of the rural people," said Kh. Ibohal, Assistant Professor of the Central Agriculture University.

"Because of dying out of the orange in recent past one-two years, economy of the people has been affected so much," he added.

The "orange queen" beauty pageant was also organised, which was the highlight of the event and was instrumental in attracting a larger audience.

A competition cum festival was organised on December 11. (ANI)