Union Minister Athawale, CM Rio lay foundation stone for ‘Naga Mandi’ agricultural marketplace at Seithekema-A

DIMAPUR — Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Ramdas Athawale and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio laid the foundation stone for the “Naga Mandi” agricultural marketplace in Chümoukedima on Friday.

The project, located in Seithekema-A, aims to transform Nagaland’s agricultural landscape by providing a centralised hub for farmers to sell their produce and access essential resources. Spread across 10 acres, the Naga Mandi will feature 110 retail outlets, 10 warehouses with a 4,000 metric ton capacity, two auction yards, and two cold storage units. It will also include a Kisan Bhavan, offering accommodation for visiting farmers.

During a programme after the stone laying ceremony, Athawale highlighted the importance of agriculture to India and commended Nagaland’s rich agricultural potential.

The union minister said that he and Rio discussed the development of Dimapur Airport and explored the possibility of a new airport in Kohima, among other projects. He assured to take these matters up with the Union Civil Aviation minister.

He expressed confidence that the Naga Mandi would yield significant economic benefits for Nagaland, including boosting local economic growth, increasing farmer incomes, creating jobs, improving market efficiency, and promoting agricultural development. He emphasised the project’s potential to empower farmers by enhancing quality control, optimising supply chains, promoting community development, and increasing access to financing and market information.

Though Nagaland is a small state of farmers, it is also a very important state in India, he said, pledging his ongoing support for the state’s development.

Jwenga Seb, MLA and Chairman of the District Planning and Development Board, Tseminyu, said that the Naga Mandi as a “transformative platform” designed to empower farmers and elevate Nagaland’s agricultural sector. He acknowledged the challenges faced by local farmers, including a lack of market infrastructure, stating that the Mandi will provide a much-needed solution by connecting farmers directly with buyers and ensuring fair prices for their produce.

Advisor for Agriculture, Mhathung Yanthan, hailed the occasion as a “significant milestone” for Nagaland’s agricultural community.

While the state’s strength lies in its organic products, various challenges including limited post-harvest infrastructure is lagging and the Naga Mandi has potential to help farmers overcome these obstacles, he said.

The Naga Mandi project, estimated to cost around INR 50 crore, is a collaborative effort between Rural Agro Farms Limited Liability Partnership (RAF LLP) and the Department of Agriculture, Government of Nagaland. The project is expected to be completed within two years.

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