YouthNet pitches for ‘Made in Nagaland’ centre in Dimapur

Dimapur, April 27 (EMN): Highlighting the problems of local entrepreneurs in marketing their products, founder of YouthNet, Hekani Jakhalu Kense, has urged the union minister of Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda, to set-up a ‘Made in Nagaland’ centre in Dimapur.

This was conveyed to the union minister during his visit to Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Centre (VDVKC) being implemented by the YouthNet in Tuophema/ Botsa in Kohima district on April 26, stated an update from YouthNet. The centre proposed to showcase over 500 local products, which would cater to both B2C and B2B purposes. The proposed centre would not only enhance the livelihood of the people but help the economy grow, which was crucial for the development of the state.

It mentioned that VDVKC at Tuophema/ Botsa was slotted as one of the best performing centres in the state and had won three state-level awards organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

The Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) is an initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED and it targets livelihood generation for tribals by harnessing the wealth of forest (Van Dhan). Under the scheme, a total of 10 SHGs/ SAMUH comprising 300 members were trained under the Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) and Development of Value Chain. The scheme was implemented by YouthNet with ‘Made in Nagaland’ (MIN) centre, Kohima, as a common facility centre for procurement and value addition.

In his address to the women SHG members, chairmen and members of village council, GBs and host of officers from various departments, the union minister has lauded the women for carrying out the project successfully and furthering the vision of the Prime Minister in empowering the tribals of the country. The minister stated he had earlier visited the ‘Made in Nagaland’ center in Kohima in 2019 and appreciated the YouthNet for not only successfully implementing the Van Dhan project but also for creating a common platform for showcasing and marketing the products of local entrepreneurs, artisans and SHGs.

The opening remark was delivered by Temjen Longkumar, RCS and MD of MARCOFED, which is also the implementing agency, while the vote of thanks was pronounced by Krutsolie Zumu, VDB secretary of Tuophema village.

Report stated that a group of women demonstrated on various steps involved in weaving shawls, after which they gifted a hand woven shawl to the minister.

An approximate of one-hundred and fifty people, mostly the women folks along with the Goan Buras of Touphema village, attended the programme.

The programme concluded with an introduction of the Vandhan’s new products such as job’s tears, sweet wild apple, gooseberry juice and hog’s plum juice.