The 4th Rüsoma Orange Festival: A Platform for Organic Agriculture and Community Spirit.

1: Introduction and Overview of the Festival

- The 4th Rüsoma Orange Festival took place in Rüsoma village, located in the Kohima district of Nagaland, India.

- The festival started on January 24th, attracting approximately 3400 attendees.

- The event is a celebration of organic produce, rural entrepreneurship, and community spirit.

- Stalls decorated with oranges, various activities, and competitions formed part of the grand event, essentially celebrating the orange.

2: Festival's Closing Ceremony

- The closing ceremony was spearheaded by Azha Mezhü, demonstrating a sense of community pride and adherence to local traditions.

- Vizokho Rüvieo provided the invocation, a significant element in festivals in Nagaland, adding a cultural touch to the ceremony.

- Visier Vimera, the convenor of the festival, delivered a closing speech, expressing gratitude for the collective effort that made the event possible.

3: Mission of the Festival and Visitor Experiences

- The festival's prime objective is to uplift the rural farmers and endorse organic farming.

- It provides a robust platform for local farmers to showcase their produce, thus generating economic opportunities and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

- Attendees had an opportunity to taste the produce for free and were given guided tours to nearby orange orchards.

- These experiences facilitated a better understanding of organic farming practices among visitors and fostered connections with the local community.

4: Significance of the Festival in Current Scenario

- This event holds high significance as it champions values imperative for current times – sustainability, community empowerment, and cultural preservation.

- More than a celebration of oranges, the festival is a reflection of the vibrant community spirit and rural life.

- It plays a significant role in enhancing the village's overall economic resilience and helps in the preservation and promotion of traditional farming practices.

- In the era of increased consciousness about organic & sustainably grown food, this festival makes a considerable contribution to this trend by promoting organically grown oranges and emphasises the importance of community participation in organic farming.

5: General Knowledge Aspects

- Nagaland, home to the Rüsoma Orange Festival, is a state in northeast India bordered by Myanmar, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Manipur.

- Its rich cultural and traditional practices make it an important state for diversity in India.

- Organic farming is a method of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and non-biodegradable pesticides and fertilisers. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity, and cycles adapted to local conditions.

- Sustainable economic development and organic farming’s role in achieving it is an essential topic in many competitive exams’ syllabi focused on environmental studies and geography.