Tezpur: The Tezpur Litchi Festival 2025, held on June 4 at the Red Cross Society Auditorium in Sonitpur, Assam, marked a vital landmark by not only rejoicing the region’s GI-tagged litchis but also creating a sustainable source of income for bordering farmers through a lively buyer-seller meet.
Organised under the aegis of the Red Cross Society-Sonitpur, Sonitpur District Administration, NERAMAC, North East Chambers of Commerce and Industries, and Tezpur-based agro-firm Tezpur Litchi Rivtra, the festival underlined the commercial and agricultural rank of Tezpur litchis.
The event was inaugurated by Sonitpur Deputy Commissioner Dr. Ankur Bharali, who appreciated the collective effort of stakeholders in turning a traditional fruit festival into a market-driven rural initiative model.
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One of the important attractions of this year’s festival was the buyer-seller meet, which concerned a diverse mix of shareholders from across the horticulture and food processing sectors. According to Biswajit Saikia, Founder of Rivtra LLP and a key organiser of the event, “The buyer-seller meeting was the main attraction. It eased direct connections between farmers and potential buyers, including food processing industries, thereby opening up new market avenues.” Rivtra LLP is a startup focused on Inland Waterways Logistics and Tourism, providing market linkage as a value addition. Through initiatives like this Rivtra aims to begin establishing market linkage of litchi farmers which will in turn generate cargo for inland waterways.
The festival kicked off with an exhibition-cum-sale that showcased a variety of litchis grown in Tezpur, including shahi, bombaiya, piyaji, chines, and rangiya. These distinct varieties, known for their high juice and pulp content, attracted significant footfall from both consumers and traders. Many exhibitors reportedly earned as high as Rs. 40,000 on the opening day itself. “This action was done very swiftly and the outcome exceeded our prospects,” said an organiser to Business North East.
The Tezpur Litchi, already known for its larger taste and texture, contains 60 percent juice, 8 percent sugar, 19 percent seed, and 13 percent skin, making it highly suitable for squash and juice production. Its high-quality pulp and distinctive flavour have made it progressively popular in both domestic and international markets.
The festival also paid tribute to Padmanath Gohain Baruah, the first chairman of the Tezpur Municipal Board, who is credited with introducing litchi cultivation to the region in the early 1920s. His ground-breaking efforts laid the foundation for the orchards of Paltaan Pukhuri and Paruwa, which today form the backbone of Tezpur’s litchi economy.
The Paruwa Litchi Orchard, established in 1954 by Late Suriya Prasad Singh, now spans over 400 bighas and practices organic farming. The orchard has become a focal point for litchi cultivation and export, with consignments regularly sent to various Indian cities and even international destinations like London. A few years ago, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma flagged off a 650 kg consignment of Tezpur litchis to the UK, following which Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a letter of appreciation acknowledging the fruit’s unique quality and potential.
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The success of the festival reinforces the importance of linking agriculture with market-led initiatives. The presence of food processing companies at the event highlighted opportunities for value addition, ensuring that farmers are not just producers but also participants in the value chain. Workshops were also held to inform farmers about grading, packaging, branding, and exporting practices.
With government support, corporate participation, and community involvement, the Tezpur Litchi Festival has carved a niche for itself in India’s agri-horti landscape. From being a celebration of a regional fruit, it has evolved into a platform for rural economic empowerment, showcasing how traditional produce, when deliberately located, can generate livings and drive development.
As the festival draws greater care year after year, organisers hope to scale up future editions, presenting more innovation and wider market contribution. The achievement of Tezpur Litchi, as showcased in this year’s festival, is a model that can be replicated across other agricultural belts in Assam and beyond.
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