Nagaland: INTACH to host first NE Festival of Rice

INTACH Nagaland Chapter has announced the first-ever “North East Festival of Rice: Grains of Heritage” to be held from February 26–27, 2026, at Agri Expo, Dimapur. The festival will bring together communities from Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, and Sikkim to celebrate rice as the heart of indigenous culture and sustainable living.
The festival will feature curated rice exhibitions showcasing heirloom and indigenous varieties, traditional farming tools, and seed preservation practices from across the region. Visitors will be able to explore how rice cultivation shapes agricultural heritage and biodiversity.
A vibrant craft section will highlight bamboo work, handloom textiles, and artisanal products inspired by agrarian life. Student participation will be a key highlight, with immersive farm-to-table experiences, a rice-themed painting competition, cultural performances, and a two-day seminar addressing critical issues related to rice.
The festival marketplace will host farmers and entrepreneurs offering organic produce, rice-based products, and handmade goods. A dedicated food arena will serve diverse rice dishes, ranging from steamed and sticky varieties to traditional beverages, reflecting the rich culinary traditions of the region.
Supported by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Nagaland, ICAR NEH Region (Nagaland Centre, Medziphema and Umiam, Meghalaya), and NEZCC, Ministry of Culture, Dimapur, the festival aims to promote cultural pride, sustainable agriculture, and community collaboration while celebrating and honoring the grain that sustains life in Northeast India.