Dignitaries during the observance of International Coffee Day in Kohima on October 1. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 1
Nagaland today observed International Coffee Day in commemoration of 75th years of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and called for placing a concerted effort to make Nagaland a coffee destination.
Observing the day at Directorate of Land Resources here, Dr T Renben Lotha, Director Land Resources said that by 2030, Nagaland is targeted to cover 40,000 ha plantation of Arabica and 10,000 ha of Robusta species.
The anticipated gross income stands Rs 1415.88 crore and Rs 215. 46 crore for Arabica and Robusta species respectively.
The expected economy returns by 2023-2024 for Arabica stands at Rs. 271.93 crore and Robusta at Rs. 28.31 crore, the director said.
The director informed that the state Land Resources Department focuses on 3Es- Ecology, Employment and Economy. In term of its benefit for ecology, the director stated that Coffee mitigate the practice of jhuming, carbon sequestration and promote biodiversity.
On employment generation, he stated that besides the economic value of the crop, coffee, being a labour intensive promotes suitable employment opportunity for unskilled rural population of the state.
On economy, he said Coffee is the 2nd most traded product next to oil in the world. India is the 2nd largest traded commodity and is an extremely important foreign exchange earner.
International Coffee Day was launched in 2015 by the international coffee organization to celebrate love for coffee and pay respect to the world’s coffee farmers.
Way forward
Dr Renben said that the department aims to expand area coverage of coffee plantation towards vision 2030 to 50,000 ha.
It also wish to provide post harvest support to the coffee farmers to enable them to fetch better prices and to be complete with international market.
Also desiring to promote Naga coffee – “Drink what you grow” slogan Naga Coffee and Tisane teas, he said “our dream is to make Nagaland a coffee destination.”
Call for enhancing Naga coffee production
Gracing the occasion as guest of hnour, Nagaland home’s principal secretary commissioner Abhijit Sinha stressed on the need to put more effort to increase the volume of coffee production in Nagaland.
Admitting that there are many advantages and potential of coffee plantation in the state, Sinha said “We should move ahead.”
He also expressed happiness over the opening of Coffee Bar in almost all the districts of Nagaland and also export of Naga Coffee to South Africa.
Vikeyie Kenya, commissioner & secretary for land resources acknowledged NABARD for their support towards a considerable coffee plantation in the state.
Uday Pandit, Junior Liaison Officer, Coffee Board of India also spoke on the occasion. Vote of thanks was proposed by C Vanchamo Ngullie, Joint Director, Land Resources Department.
