Khonsa, Sep 10: A daylong pickle tasting mela was organised by the Tirap district administration with support from Textiles and Handicrafts department and Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM) at Khonsa on Tuesday.
A total of 18 self-help groups (SHGs) showcased locally produced organic pickles as a part of the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative.
The mela aimed to promote local organic products of the district, with a focus on homemade pickles, which has been proposed as the district's ODOP item by the district-level committee under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Khonsa East MLA Wanglam Sawin tasted a variety of pickles from different stalls.
He praised the district administration and the collaborating departments for their initiative in organizing such a mela for the first time in Khonsa.
In a show of support for the local "Vocal for Local" movement, he purchased pickles from the SHGs, encouraging them to continue their efforts in promoting local products.
The mela provided a platform for local SHGs to display their culinary talents and promote the district’s organic products, furthering the government’s vision of sustainable development through the empowerment of local communities.
Around 200 women representing various self-help groups participated in the pickle-making process. The initiative aims to create home-based self-employment opportunities for these women while also boosting the local agro-economy through the use of locally sourced ingredients for traditional pickles.
Tirap deputy commissioner Ira Singhal, EAC Tana Bapu, HoDs, Industries joint director Pongrem Arangham, Handicrafts assistant director Chano Lowang, Textiles and Handicrafts officer Chokhen Rajkumari and others attended the mela.