Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav during a tour of the newly inaugurated Made in Nagaland (MIN) Centre in Chümoukedima on September 8.
CHÜMOUKEDIMA, SEPTEMBER 8 (MExN): The third Made in Nagaland (MIN) Centre of YouthNet was inaugurated by Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav at 5th Mile, Chümoukedima on September 8.
The centre is envisioned as a one-stop platform for showcasing, promoting and retailing products made by Naga entrepreneurs. It currently features more than 450 products from 95 entrepreneurs across Nagaland, including traditional shawls and mekhelas, apparel, handicrafts, jewellery, food products, soaps, footwear and souvenirs.
Speaking at the inaugural programme, Governor Yadav said the centre represented an important step towards creating an ecosystem where Nagaland's creativity, traditional skills, enterprise and cultural wealth could find wider markets and sustainable economic value. He said local crafts, textiles, agricultural products, food traditions and artistic expressions could become sustainable sources of livelihood when supported by proper market access.
The Governor noted that the first one-stop Made in Nagaland platform was launched in 2018 with 81 entrepreneurs and had since grown to around 350 entrepreneurs and 600 products from across the State. He stressed the need to equip entrepreneurs with skills, finance, mentoring, technology, branding, packaging, digital marketing and market intelligence, while also strengthening quality control, standardisation and supply chains.
Yadav said the “Made in Nagaland” label should become associated with “authenticity, quality, innovation, sustainability and trust.” He also highlighted the importance of ensuring that traditional skills and knowledge remained economically viable, describing the initiative as a potential bridge between tradition and modernity, heritage and enterprise, and local production and wider markets.
The Governor called for greater collaboration among government departments, financial institutions, educational institutions, private enterprises, civil society and organisations such as YouthNet. He expressed hope that “Made in Nagaland would grow from a platform into a movement” and become an engine of inclusive economic growth.
Advisor for Industries and Commerce and YouthNet founder Hekani Jakhalu said YouthNet was established in 2006 to encourage young people to pursue entrepreneurship and create employment opportunities rather than depend solely on government jobs. She said the first Made in Nagaland Centre was launched in Kohima in 2018, while the Chümoukedima facility was the third such initiative. Jakhalu said efforts were being made to create the right ecosystem for local entrepreneurs, including through infrastructure, finance, branding and packaging support.
She also pointed to the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme being implemented by the Department of Industries and Commerce to facilitate access to finance for local entrepreneurs.
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Advisor to the Chief Minister and IDAN Chairman Abu Metha congratulated YouthNet for its work in creating employment opportunities and connecting local producers with markets. Metha said YouthNet had emerged as “an ambassador of the ambitions and aspirations of the people” and highlighted its work with government departments to empower youth and entrepreneurs.
He also referred to Nagaland's contribution to national security, sports, traditional arts and crafts, and said the Nagaland Legislative Assembly's resolution seeking an urgent review and withdrawal of the Protected Area Permit regime would help promote tourism and strengthen the State's creative economy.
YouthNet Director Nuneseno Chase said Made in Nagaland was working to create new pathways to markets for local entrepreneurs. She noted that the initiative, in partnership with the Nagaland Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation, was also promoting Naga products through the Nagaland Emporium in New Delhi. She said Made in Nagaland products were also being made available through digital marketplaces including Amazon, Flipkart and ONDC.
“Every product created by a Naga entrepreneur represents not just a business, but also creativity, skills, local knowledge and economic potential,” Chase said, adding that the initiative sought to give entrepreneurs a platform where their products could be “seen, valued and accessed by a wider market.”
Following the programme, the Governor toured the Made in Nagaland Centre and the Training Institute and took an overview of the facilities and activities.
The programme was attended by Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Zhaleo Rio, Advisor for Social Welfare Wangpang Konyak, MLA Benei M Lamthiu, officials of the district administration, YouthNet members, entrepreneurs and other dignitaries.
