Advisor Ikuto urges to promote Nagaland coffee

DIMAPUR — The advisor of Land Resources, G Ikuto Zhimomi, has urged to promote Nagaland coffee across the districts by setting up cafes and coffee bars offering world-class coffee at reasonable prices. He also encouraged the youth to take up coffee entrepreneurship keeping in view the scope of employment and economic desire of the people.

Speaking at the International Coffee Day programme, organised by the directorate of Land Resources in its conference hall in Kohima on Tuesday on the theme ‘Collaboration for a better tomorrow,’ the advisor encouraged the officials of Land Resources department and Coffee Board of India to continue promoting coffee development in the state, support the coffee farmers and work towards taking Nagaland grown coffee to greater heights.

He mentioned that the department has been actively supporting coffee development at all levels such as area expansion, post-harvest processing, roasting of coffee beans and also providing barista training to the youth interested in the art of coffee making. He added that the department, being the nodal agency for coffee development in the state, in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India, has put in a lot of effort to promote coffee plantation and coffee-based entrepreneurs to generate employment opportunities, stated a DIPR report.

Highlighting on the development of coffee production in Nagaland context, the advisor stated that it was taken up during 1970s and 1990s but without much progress. He added that in 2014, the Coffee Board, in partnership with the department of Land Resources, took up a visionary initiative to revive the coffee plantations in the state.

He informed that the area under coffee plantation in Nagaland has increased to 10,200 hectares now as compared to 145 hectares before 2014.

In his keynote address, the commissioner and secretary of Land Resources, Kevekha Kevin Zehol, has termed Nagaland ‘fortunate’ as coffee crop could grow all over the state. Stating that coffee thrives well at 800 meters to 1,500 meter, he said Nagaland has the perfect soil condition for growing coffee.

He also urged the department to propagate home-grown coffee through IPR warrior magazine and other government publications in order to reach all sections of people.

Zehol informed that the state government, as policymakers, would try to integrate the interest of the coffee farmers and growers while formulating policies. He further expressed hope that the department would duly address the suggestions given by the coffee farmers and entrepreneurs.

A coffee grower from Wokha, Yanthungo, while sharing his experience, stated that there was no market prior to 2008 till the Land Resources department intervened to promote coffee plantation. He stated that the farmers started growing coffee with the encouragement from the department and with doorstep delivery of coffee seed free of cost to the framers.

He appealed to the department to assist in providing machinery and market linkages for the coffee growers in Nagaland.

The deputy director (Extension) of Coffee Board of India, Jorhat, Jayanta Gosh, as well as coffee producers and coffee entrepreneur delivered short speeches.

Altogether, fifteen highest producers from 16 districts were awarded with cash and certificates on the occasion.

The event was followed by manual brewing competition, showcasing of coffee products from entrepreneurs and experiential exposure on different stages of coffee.

The advisor Geology and Mining, W Chingang Konyak; MLA C Manpon Konyak and a host of officials from various departments attended the programme.