Agriculture Production Commissioner, Y Kikheto Sema seen with officers of Agri and allied departments after inaugurating Naturally Nagaland outlet at 4th Mile, Dimapur on July 9. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 9
With the objective of promoting entrepreneurs, farmers and self help groups, an outlet of Naturally Nagaland, a hand-holding initiative of the State government to promote organic Agri and allied products, arts, crafts and handloom of the State was launched by Agriculture Production Commissioner, Y Kikheto Sema at 4th Mile, Dimapur on July 9.
Speaking after the inauguration, Kikheto informed that the outlet was conceptualized by the government of Nagaland to promote food, craft, textile and Agri products of the local farmers and entrepreneurs.
Stating that the brand was created to enable those entrepreneurs who could not create their own brands, the APC encouraged the entrepreneurs and farmers to sell their finished and processed products at Naturally Nagaland.
“Such entrepreneurs may sell their products under the brand name Naturally Nagaland,” he added.
Kikheto said the State government has created the outlet by identifying the local processed products with nutritional facts.
“Even though many entrepreneurs want to sell their products in a standardized manner, they are unable to do so because of the financial and marketing constraints and therefore the State government has come up with this novel idea to provide an identity to the unique local products of the State,” Kikheto said.
Under the Naturally Nagaland brand, all the indigenous products can be brought together for sale thereby popularizing the culture, food and lifestyle of Nagas to the world.
He also informed that Naturally Nagaland would extend the required support by creating a market chain for the entrepreneurs while also identifying the indigenous and medicinal food products of different districts and tribes.
It was also informed that the State government has rechristened the State Emporiums in Delhi and Kolkata as Naturally Nagaland Emporium. He said that the government plans to open similar outlets in Guwahati, Shillong and Bengaluru where there is a huge concentration of Naga population.
By promoting the Naturally Nagaland brand, the government will not derecognize those entrepreneurs who have already created their own brand and established an image in the market, the APC added.
He said that all the established entrepreneurs could also participate in selling their own brand through the window created by Naturally Nagaland, making it an umbrella organization for all the brands.
This is the first outlet of Naturally Nagaland and the next is slated to open in Kohima which will create a link with the outlets outside the State.
Commissioner and Secretary, Horticulture, Anenla Sato said that the initiative was a humble beginning and joint effort of all Agri and allied and line departments.
Additional Director, DUDA, Anungla Phom informed that Rs 1000 per month per rack/shelf would be charged from the entrepreneurs who would also get the benefit of displaying their products at the outlets in Delhi and Kolkata. However, for a year, entrepreneurs will not be charged for using the shelf at the outlets.
Anungla also informed that the outlets would soon be handed over to the entrepreneurs adding, “This outlet belongs to the entrepreneurs of Nagaland.” She said that Zynorique Initiative would be coordinating and taking care of the outlets in Dimapur and Kohima. She invited all entrepreneurs to participate and make Naturally Nagaland their own.
The inaugural function was attended by Commissioner and Secretary Horticulture; Director Horticulture & Agriculture; Chief Engineer Water Resources; Additional Director DUDA, Project Director NRLM, RD and other officers from Agri & Allied departments. MD NHHDC Ltd also attended the programme.
