Imphal (Manipur), June 10 (ANI): The first ever watermelon festival has kicked off in Manipur capital Imphal.

The Nahakpam Foundation for Development (NFD) has organized the five-day festival with the objective of promoting watermelon cultivation as an important cash crop.

Interacting with the reporters recently, NFD Secretary, Nahakpam Shanta, said such festivals would provide a platform in encouraging the people to expand watermelon farming in the state.

This festival is been organised to understand the gap between farmers of Manipur, who are growing watermelon and the influx of watermelon from our bordering country Myanmar, said Shanta

The NDF has also planned to publish booklets, which would help in modernizing and increasing the product made from watermelon fruits in the state.

Shanta added that watermelon farmers from various villages have participated in the festival and their produce is displayed in 13 stalls.

According to my opinion if we organise such kind of festivals, I am sure that watermelon growers and the technical experts between horticulture and different other sectors like cooperation, economics and industries, if we build a proper platform and make the farmers understand, I am very sure that youths will be interested in growing watermelon and other cash crop plantations, added Shanta.

During the festival, opinions of experts would be recorded and submitted to the concerned authority for research to increase the production and promote watermelon farming.

The festival, which strtaed on June 8, ends on June 12. (ANI)