Imphal: Sirarakhong in Ukhrul district of Manipur is celebrating its ninth Hathei Phanit, a three-day festival of hathei chilli which is grown only in that village and organic in nature.

Fifteen stalls have been set up which display large quantity of hathei chillies, organic king chillies, locally known as "umorok" and other organic vegetables grown in the village.

The festival is being held on the theme "Celebrating the god's gift - Hathei" by the Sirarakhong Hathei Promotion Committee and Sirarakhong villagers.

It is sponsored by the North Eastern Council, Manipur horticulture and soil conservation department and Manipur Organic Mission Agency .

Horticulture and soil conservation minister Th. Shyamkumar said Manipur has many communities and places which have their own specialties.

Stating that Sirarakhong's hathei, which grows naturally, is definitely god's gift, he said the state government takes the festival seriously as it is aware of the many difficulties faced by the farmers/villagers and the speciality of the place.

He promised that after discussing with the farmers in the village, special steps would be taken by the department to increase production of these chillies.

The minister announced Rs 13.50 lakh for construction of a rural market shed under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)scheme of the department and allocation of a vehicle for transportation of local produce to the capital city after September.

He told people to stay focussed and work harder for production of more chillies.

V. Mary, a farmer who was displaying dried and fresh chillies besides chilli pickles and powder, said: "This season I have produced 400kg of dry chillies. On an average I earn Rs 1 lakh per year."