Nongpoh, Meghalaya, April 13 (HBTV): The Strawberry Festival at Soliya village in Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya, known as ‘strawberry village,’ has commenced. The festival is a collaborative initiative by the department of Tourism and Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is being supported by Opus Production and the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project. 

The primary objective of the event is to showcase the delectable strawberries of the state, promote agro-tourism, bolster local businesses, and encourage more farmers to engage in strawberry cultivation.    

The festivities in Sohliya village offer myriad attractions, which include strawberry picking at the farms, wine-tasting and jam-making events; cycling and trekking to strawberry farms, workshops on wine making; and culinary delights, baking with strawberries, and live music, and cultural performances.   

Tourists from various countries and states have visited and praised the festival for its vibrancy.

Scheduled for April 12 and the 13th, the Strawberry Festival spans across vibrant strawberry fields in the villages of Syntung and Nohron in East Khasi Hills; Sohliya in Ri-Bhoi; and Darechikgre in the West Garo Hills.                  

The directorate of Horticulture has undertaken extensive strawberry plantation initiatives under various central and state programs.   

The commissioner and secretary for Tourism, Vijay Kumar D, was the chief guest of the Strawberry Festival at Sohliya village, along with O Lyngkhoi, the Rangbah Shnong of Sohliya village. 

After a walkthrough of the strawberry farm there and indulging in the fruits, Vijay Kumar expressed delight in experiencing such a vibrant event aimed at bolstering the momentum of farmers engaged in strawberry cultivation, in tandem with the Tourism department. 

Kumar emphasized Meghalaya's potential as a state blessed with vibrant natural landscapes and excellent soil, which greatly benefit farmers. He highlighted the synergy between tourism and horticulture in enhancing farmers' livelihood, underscoring the government's commitment to nurturing such collaborations.