Thipuzumi Kiwi & Allied Food Processing Cluster CFC inaugurated

Our Correspondent
Thipuzu | May 5

Bringing cheers to Kiwi farmers of Phek district, the Thipuzumi Kiwi & Allied Food Processing Cluster (Common Facility Centre) was inaugurated by BB Swain, Secretary, Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India in the presence of Nagaland CAWD & Taxes, Advisor Kudecho Khamo.

Speaking on the inaugural held on May 5, Swain informed that similar projects are being commissioned in different parts of the country. He said the MSME is working towards bringing technology to help the entrepreneurs to earn livelihood. He assured that more projects and funding will take place.

“We are here to help you,” he said and wished the people a “wonderful future.”

Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, MSME, Government of India encouraged the farmers to work hard for sustainable livelihood. “You can do many things,” she said and called upon the villagers to conserve forest and natural resources. She also called upon the villagers to stay united and access the various developmental packages.

Kudecho Khamo thanked MSME for granting the project, terming it as the most important and the biggest gift to the people of the area. “It is very special for our community,” he said, adding that the project will usher so much opportunity to the farmers. He also thanked Mercy Epao for taking the initiative, Swain for making it a possible, and also the involvement of everyone towards the fruition of the project.

From his part, Khamo assured to allocate major chunk of fund from Local Area Development Programme (LADP) towards agri and allied activities to boost the rural economy.

AS Deewan, Director, state office, Khadi & Village Industries Commission, Ministry of MSME, Dimapur also highlighted the various activities being undertaken to promote entrepreneurship.

The state office of Khadi & Village Industries Commission has conducted awareness- cum-distribution of bee boxes with live bee colonies & tool kits under Honey Mission and fruits and equipment under ABFPI (Gramodyog Vikas Yojana (GVY), which was handed over to the beneficiaries by Swain today.

200 bee boxes have been distributed.

Nagaland’s commissioner & secretary for rural development, Neposo Theluo and Rothihu Tetseo, IPS, DIGP (Range) Kohima and several other dignitaries also present at the programme.

Earlier, Dr. Riipfiihii Rose, chairman Thipuzumi Welfare Society Kohima delivered welcome address while Rev. Vezopa Rhakho, pastor Chakhesang Baptist Church Kohima and Vejuyi Rose, Pastor Thipuzumi Baptist Church pronounced invocation and benediction respectively.

 About Thipuzumi Kiwi & allied food processing cluster CFC

In technical report of the project, Arindam Hazarika from Arohan Foods Private Limited  informed that the brand Mujo, was also formally launched in the event. Mujo will be the umbrella brand for all products made from the CFC, Thipuzu.
The CFC is funded under Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries (SFURTI) programme of Government of India.

Thipuzumi Kiwi Farming Cooperative Society is the implementing agency of the project and Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati and Arohan Foods Pvt Ltd as nodal and technical agency respectively.

Hazarika informed that the cluster is well known for their superior quality production of various fruits like Kiwi, Persimmon, Guava, and others.

“Now, with the establishment of the CFC, the cluster will process value-added products with the aim to reach greater markets across India and Southeast Asia,” he informed.

The processing line capacity is 500 kgs/per hour. The unit can produce 3 tons of processed goods and up-to 10 tons of primary processed fresh goods every day. The facility is also designed with a 3000 cft cold storage that will help the farmers store fresh and semi processed goods. The CFC houses semi automatic and automatic machinery. In full capacity, the unit will generate a selling point as well as employment center for local farmers and youth alike.

This will be followed by capacity building sessions on food technology, food processing, food safety, basic business management, book keeping, branding, channel management etc.

Hazarika informed that today’s inauguration was the first step of the new journey where a comprehensive facility with capacity to produce dehydrated fruits, jams, jellies, juices, concentrates, preserves, honey, bamboo shoot, pickles etc has been realized.

The CFC is expected to boost the kiwi and persimmon farming industry in the region and create more opportunities for farmers in the area. The facility will enable the farmers to process their fruits into high-quality products and increase their income.

The inauguration of the CFC marks a significant milestone in the development of the agriculture industry in Nagaland, Hazarika informed.