The initiative will develop Arabica and Robusta coffee clusters in Nagaland while boosting exports, tourism, branding and farmer incomes through a value-chain approach
Kohima: The Centre on Monday launched the Rs 175-crore “Coffees of Nagaland” mission, a major initiative aimed at positioning Nagaland as a globally recognised speciality coffee destination.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia launched the programme in New Delhi alongside Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, describing it as a “Whole of India approach” bringing together farmers, entrepreneurs, exporters, tourism stakeholders and institutions.
The mission will begin with two pilot clusters, Tuophema village in Kohima district for Arabica coffee and Ghotovi village in Niuland district for Robusta coffee. Officials said the project will focus on scientific cultivation, processing, branding, traceability, exports and coffee tourism to strengthen the entire value chain.
“Beginning with pilot clusters in Tuphema for Arabica and Ghotovi for Robusta, the mission seeks to ensure that a far greater part of the coffee value chain accrues directly to farmers and local communities,” Scindia said in a social media post.
Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar said the initiative would also include organic certification, GI tagging and digital traceability to improve global market access.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio described the project as a significant step in Nagaland’s agricultural diversification efforts, noting that coffee cultivation has emerged as a sustainable alternative to shifting cultivation in several regions of the state.
Officials believe the cluster-driven model will generate employment, improve coffee quality and attract rural youth to Nagaland’s growing coffee economy.
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