How Thanamir became the apple capital of Nagaland

Thanamir, a small village in Nagaland in the Northeast of India, has an unexpected yet fascinating connection to apple farming that began in the 1970s. During the peak of the Indo-Naga conflict, an Assam Rifles soldier gifted three apple saplings to a Village Guard in Thanamir as a gesture of goodwill. Planted in the fertile soil of the village, these saplings grew well, and soon, apple cultivation became an integral part of the community’s agricultural practices​. Over time, the apples thrived, and what started as a few trees developed into a significant local industry. Thanamir now produces 40-50 tonnes of apples annually and hosts an annual Apple Festival to celebrate the harvest. This festival draws attention to the village’s produce and helps promote their apples within and beyond Nagaland​. The success of apple farming has sparked dreams of making Thanamir a hub for apple exports. With proper infrastructure, the village could potentially expand to supply apples to international markets, including nearby countries like Myanmar and Malaysia. This growth also extends to the production of apple saplings, which has seen increased demand​. Through continued support, Thanamir aims to cement its reputation as a key apple-growing region in Northeast India. #applefarm #nagaland #goodfoodmovement