Our Correspondent
Kohima | June 27
The need to push forward the level of exports in Nagaland has been stressed at the two long two-day training programme on Development of Experts in Nagaland, which got underway here today under the aegis of the department of Industries & Commerce Nagaland in partnership with Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).
Considering the absence of export products in the state despite its rich potential, the department of Industries & Commerce Nagaland designed this programme to develop experts in the state.
The training is focused to familiarize and impart knowledge and methods involved in the domain of export products with an overarching goal for the participants/ trainers to learn and further assist and guide progressive farmers and prospective entrepreneurs to increase the level of export in the state.
The training also aims to provide the necessary policy guidance for industrial development in the state.
It also aims to explore and formulates technically feasible and economically viable industrial programs and projects.
Nagaland potential to produce 15,000 MT of honey
The concept note stated that Nagaland has a suitable climate for agricultural and horticultural produces.
The agro-climatic conditions in Nagaland provide commercial opportunities for floriculture and horticulture.
The state has 650 indigenous species of medicinal and aromatic plants.
It stated that Nagaland state is estimated to have the potential to produce 15,000 MT of honey and 100 MT of wax, which together could generate around US$ 100 million annually.
Moreover, the production of honey during 2017-2018 (October) was recorded to be 590 metric tonnes.
Orange, Banana, Pineapple and Passion fruits cover about 58% of the area under fruit crops and contributes 70% of the total fruit production in State.
Out of total area under different fruit crops in the state, the maximum area is covered by citrus followed by pineapple and banana. Other important fruit crops of the state are plum, lemon, papaya etc. Besides, a number of other crops like kewi, apple, cashew nut, strawberry and indigenous minor fruits etc are growing in some areas.
Out of total area under different vegetable crops, the maximum area is covered by cabbage followed by tomato, Besides, Vegetables like French bean, carrot, cauliflower, cucurbits and a number of locally available leafy vegetables are also grown parts of the state.
Ginger, Chillies and Cardamom are the major spice crop of the state. Among the spices, chilli occupies the maximum area followed by ginger and cardamom.
The concept note stated that bamboo is found extensively in Nagaland with, Bamboo growing stock covering nearly five percent of the total stock in the country.
As of 2018, Nagaland has 46 species of Bamboo. During 2017-2018, production of raw silk in the state of Nagaland stood at around 615 MT.
Agriculture sector contribution to the economic output stood at 28.42 percent in 2016-2017.
Exports from the state stood at US$ 3.92 million during 2017-2018 and US$ 2.35 million in April- December 2018.
Focus on large scale production
Earlier, speaking at the inaugural function, Industries & Commerce director K. Hokishe Assumi stressed on the need to enhance the level of coordination amongst line departments to push forward export of the state’s produce.
He regretted that mode of our cultivation is largely 'subsistence' which means “we cultivate only for our consumption and not for commercial purposes.”
He also stressed on the need to encourage the growers and motivate the entrepreneurs to focus on a large scale production “so that they can export their produce outside the state.”
On day one, Dr Gautam Kumar Dutta, Professor & Head, Management Development Programme Division, IIFT, Kolkata, Dr. Gautam Kumar Dutta gave a lectured on "How to start Export Business, Export Finance, Letter of Credit, International marketing of products (E- Commerce) while Anan Debbarma, Assistant Director, Spices Board, Itanagar spoke on " Role of Spices Board in export of spices, procedure for export of Spices, mandatory sampling and testing.
Day-2 programme on June 28 will start from 9:30 am onwards. Valedictory function has been scheduled at 3:15 pm.
