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India: Aliba village’s off-season cucumber growers face growing challenges

Aliba village, situated within the Ongpangkong circle of Mokokchung district, stood as a trailblazer in off-season cucumber cultivation over the past decade. The late Burremba Pongen introduced this innovative practice in 1986, and today, it serves as the primary income source for most villagers. Notably, Aliba's success story extends beyond its borders, benefiting neighboring villages like Chungtia and Kinunger.

Despite its achievements, Aliba off-season cucumber farmers are faced with mounting challenges due to rising market prices and change in climate. Access to essential facilities such as cold storage, greenhouses, fertilizers, and pesticides remains a struggle for the farmers. Presently, three women from Aliba—Narosenla, Temsurenla, and Imtilemla—have taken it upon themselves to preserve Burremba's legacy through their personal finances.

Off-season cucumber cultivation kicks off in December, utilizing fields left fallow after the main harvest season (June to November). Cucumber seeds are sown in late January, with harvesting occurring around the second week of April. Aliba cultivates four local cucumber varieties- Rongma matsu, Tongten matsu, Entsu matsu, and Narep matsu.

Climate constraints
Aliba receives an average annual rainfall of 2000 to 2500mm. Of late, the village has been experiencing very long dry spells leading to the drying up of irrigation channels. As a consequence, production has been drastically reduced. Rainfall during winter months remained sparse, while unprecedented downpours during the April-to-June harvest period have caused crop losses. In 2024, due to heavy downpours, most of the crops perished, Aliba cucumber farmers reported.

Read more at morungexpress.com

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