Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and others with the beneficiary of Coffee Pulpers in Kohima on May 5. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 5
Good news for coffee growers of Nagaland.
Those willing to venture into opening of coffee shop in every district and sub-division of Nagaland, they will be provided with Coffee making machine through CM’s Corpus Fund this year.
This was announced by Nagaland’s chief minister Neiphiu Rio during the distribution of Coffee Pulpers to coffee growers of Kohima district here today at Naga Solidarity Park.
50 Coffee Pulpers, funded by North Eastern Council (NEC) have been distributed to coffee growers today.
He said that opening of coffee shop in every district will go a long way in promoting every district brand of Naga coffee.
Rio encouraged the Coffee growers to adopt a systematic mechanism for the benefit of the farmers and for the pride of the state.
Coffee, is one areas, which can boost the economy of the state, Rio said.
He maintained that Naga Coffee is in high demand because of its organic nature, quality and flavor.
Rio termed the 1886 number of coffee growers in Kohima district as “very encouraging.
Dr Menuosietuo Tseikha, DPO, Land Resources Department, Kohima district informed that the initiative taken by chief minister Neiphiu Rio, marked the success of coffee plantation across the state.
He asked the Coffee farmers to make good use of the machine by sharing it amongst the other farmers in their respective community and not leasing it out on hires and also to encourage other farmers about the benefits of coffee farming.
Rokovizo Senotsu and Kenneth Kath spoke on behalf of coffee growers.
The function was chaired by Agnes Phewhuo, assistant inspector, land resources department, Kohima district while vote of thanks was proposed by Sentinungla, APO, land resources department, Kohima districts.
Status of Coffee plantation in Nagaland
Coffee was first grown in Nagaland in the 1980s. However, initially, it failed because of the lack of management and unavailability of market. It was only in 2015, that the Department of Land Resources attempted to revive coffee plantations.
The department works in close association with the Coffee Board of India.
Presently, the state is exporting Nagaland coffee to South Africa.
It has been estimated that a total area of 10,40,100 hectares (3,55,300 hectares for Robusta and 6,84,800 hectares for Arabica) is suitable for coffee plantation in Nagaland.
At present, about 7996.2 hectares are already covered under coffee plantation, according to available sources.
