Mokokchung, June 5 (DIPR): Secretary, Cooperation, Lithrongla G. Chishi accompanied by the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Wepe Ritse and host of departmental officials visited the Echahaba Tea Factory at Merangkong, Tuli recently. The factory is the only Cooperative tea factory in the State, promoted by Echahaba Tea Growers' Cooperative Society Ltd, Merangkong.
Addressing a gathering of members of the cooperative society and Merangkong Village Council at the factory premises, Lithrongla lauded the society for implementation of good management practices at the factory resulting in fulfillment of high quality standards and also for registering impressive profits consistently. She urged the village community to take up tea cultivation in a big way as it not only fetches premium price but also is a sustainable economic activity and environment friendly.
Also speaking on the occasion, Wepe Ritse highlighted the various programmes implemented by the cooperation department as well as the apex cooperative institutions such as the Nagaland State Cooperative Bank, MARCOFED etc. which are all working for the promotion of economic development of farming community at the village level. He urged the members to take full advantage of these programmes. He also asked the society to strictly adhere to the cooperative principles and more importantly, the provisions of the recently enacted Nagaland Cooperative Act & Rules.
Echahaba Tea Factory was established in the year 2013 with an initial installed capacity of 300 MT tea per annum which was upgraded to 900 MT per annum during the 20016-17. While a small percentage of the tea produced at the factory is sold through retail channel, bulk of its produce is marketed through Guwahati Tea Auction Centre, which is regulated by the Tea Board of India, under the brand name ‘Merangkong’ and is realizing premium price.
