TEZPUR : The two-day Tezpur Litchi Festival 2026 began here on Saturday, showcasing the region’s celebrated GI-tagged fruit and its expanding footprint in international markets.

The event has brought together farmers, exporters, scientists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to explore new opportunities for the fruit that has become synonymous with the town’s agricultural identity.

A major highlight of the inaugural day was the announcement of fresh export initiatives by Sonitpur District Commissioner Anand Kumar Das.

He said one tonne of Tezpur litchi has been earmarked for export to Dubai, while arrangements have been finalized to send 500 kilograms to Singapore.

In a symbolic gesture, 100 specially packaged boxes of premium Tezpur litchis will be dispatched to the Prime Minister’s Office, Das added.

The festival is being organised at multiple venues, including the District Library Auditorium, the adjoining library campus, and Anand Chandra Agarwala Park.

Proceedings began with a tribute to renowned Assamese litterateur Padmanath Gohain Barua, who had pioneered improved litchi cultivation in the region.

The inaugural session drew participation from a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including elected representatives, agricultural experts, exporters, and growers.

Entrepreneur Biswajit Saikia showcased innovative litchi-based products, including dehydrated litchi with an extended shelf life of nearly six months.

He also shared plans to develop honey and other value-added products linked to litchi cultivation, highlighting the growing scope of agro-processing in the sector.

A commemorative publication chronicling the journey of Tezpur litchi—from its historical roots to future market prospects—was released during the programme.

The Department of Posts also marked the occasion by unveiling a special postal cover dedicated to the fruit.

Exhibitions, documentary screenings, product displays, and sales counters were also organised.

A technical seminar on food technology and litchi processing brought together experts and entrepreneurs to discuss value addition, branding, and market expansion strategies.

Ten progressive farmers were honoured for their contributions to boosting litchi production and quality.

As part of an awareness drive, the Indian Army distributed litchi saplings among NCC cadets, encouraging youth participation in horticulture and environmental conservation.

The festival also highlighted the growing commercial potential of Tezpur litchi through innovative products such as litchi chips.

Stakeholders claimed that these initiatives will open new avenues for entrepreneurship, increase farmers’ income, and further strengthen the global reputation of Assam’s prized GI-tagged fruit. (Source: PTI)