Dr Pieter Vermeulen and department officials with the Silver Plaque during a press conference held in Kohima on March 30. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | March 30
Initially considered a failed during the 80s when it was first introduced in the state, today Nagaland coffee has achieved a considerable milestone not only in terms of area expansion, but also the end products which is considered the best both in ‘taste and aroma.’
Nagaland Coffee under the product name ‘Nagaland Coffee Tribal Blend’ bagged the Silver Plaque (4th position) at the third Aurora International Taste Challenge 2021, held near Stellenbosch, South Africa at the end of September 2021.
The annual Aurora International Taste Challenge is organised to celebrate and pay tribute to universal food quality. This event recognises and award food product excellence while helping consumers purchase award-winning professionally rated products with confidence.
Organic & highly flavoured coffee
Announcing this award of certificate at a press conference held this morning at the Directorate of Land Resources, Dr Pieter Vermeulen termed it as ‘remarkable’ and ‘great achievement’ for the state of Nagaland though in a nascent stage of coffee growing of seven years.
With this award, he maintained that the state should set a benchmark by establishing the right variety of coffee – good, organic and highly flavoured coffee.
While the pandemic has had a bad influence on coffee globally, Vermeulen said he has been experimenting with Nagaland coffee from various districts in a small roaster at his home, which led to the participation in the challenge.
Although the state is going into the right steps, Vermeulen observed some challenges like post harvest processing and management, educate and impart proper training to coffee farmers to understand and taste coffee, introduction of technology etc.
He also observed that the state should develop consistent production of good and high quality coffee vis-a-vis highly flavoured coffee, and with the right support and guidance, he believed that Nagaland can do so.
Vermeulen also informed that he is looking forward to participate in the ‘Cup of Excellence’ (COE) the premier coffee competition.
Mention may be made that Dr Pieter Vermeulen has been working with the Department of Land Resources for almost seven years in promotion of Nagaland Coffee globally. He is the Managing Director of Naga Coffee Pvt. Ltd. India, and also the director of Noble Cause Pty Ltd. South Africa.
Extremely happy and excited
LRD Director, A. Pangjung Jamir said he is extremely happy and excited with the award adding, “we have never expected to get such award in the international level.’
Initially when coffee was promoted in the state during 2014-15, the main target was to encourage farmers was economic viability in the rural areas as coffee is one crop where farmers can get maximum profit.
At a time when the department was worried about marketing of Nagaland coffee, Jamir said “Dr Pieter came in and we signed MoU with his company in South Africa and that’s how Naga Coffee is being promoted.”
Meanwhile, the department officials have acknowledged the state government for the constant support towards promotion of coffee in the state, and also setting up of coffee bars in the eleven districts.
9832 Ha coverage of coffee
Nagaland has about 10,40,100 hectares of suitable area for coffee plantation with 9832 hectares coverage currently across the state and producing 56 metric tonnes annually both parchment and dry cherry.
However, due to the pandemic, Nagaland coffee couldn’t be exported for the past two years, which will soon be made ready for export. It was also informed that about 30 MT of coffee harvest is expected this year.
Currently, the highest production comes from Khar village under Mokokchung district.
It was informed that the department has set a target to cover 30,000 ha by 2030 and to focus on quality and post harvest processing and management.
