Office of the Agricultural Production Commissioner (APC), conducted an interactive session with entrepreneurs on export on Naturally Nagaland products, on Monday, here at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur.
Delivering the keynote address, APC Y Kikheto Sema informed that the decision to hold interactive session with state’s entrepreneurs was decided when agri and allied department conducted meeting on March 4.
He maintained that in the meeting it was decided to hold a workshop or meeting with the entrepreneurs to make some decisions on the export on Naturally Nagaland.
Speaking on the birth of Naturally Nagaland (NN), Sema stated that the then APC, Sentiyanger, on January 27, 2020, with former missions such as bio resources, honey, industries and commerce, bamboo mission etc. decided to produce something through the missions to be marketed outside the state, deciding to name the process “Naturally Nagaland”.
He further added that on February 6, 2020, a nine-member committee was constituted to regulate how NN would function and accordingly, the committee was of the view that the state emporium at Delhi and Kolkaka should be renamed as NN, whereby on February 26 in Kolkata and February 27 at Delhi, the then state chief secretary, late Temjen Toy, launched the emporium as NN.
Citing the reason as to why the emporium was changed to NN, Sema maintained that products in both the emporium largely comprised of Nagaland handloom and handicrafts products and when profit & loss and balance sheet of the business was assessed, it was seen as low sustainable, with competition from other states. In this regard, it was converted to NN where products from Nagaland were to be displayed and sold.
He further added that NN was registered by the government of Nagaland under home department on February this year.
During the interactive session, entrepreneurs discussed and shared their grievances with APC and his colleague of directors where problems were shared.
Taking note of the discussions, Dr. R Elithung and Sema constituted a committee for deliberation on queries and problems shared by entrepreneurs in the interactive session.
The committee was also constituted to regulate export, pricing, quality management, transportation, air cargo and logistic support, with regards to products of Nagaland to be undertaken under NN.
The committee would be headed by CEO, NSAMB, G Ikuto Zhimomi as convenor and deputy secretary, Agri, Holohon Yepthomi as member secretary, with director, horticulture, Dr. R Elithung, additional director, DUDA, Dr. Anungla Phom from the government sector and Richard Belho of green caravan, Kohima, M Ababe Ezung of Sowers and Eaters and president, CNCCI, Dr. Khekugha Muru as members of the committee.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by chief executive officer, Nagaland state agriculture marketing board (NSAMB), G Ikuto Zhimomi and short speeches were delivered by additional director of agriculture, S. Kivikhu Achumi, director, horticulture, Dr. R Elithung Lotha, DUDA additional director, Dr. Anungla Phom and WRD & horticulture commissioner and secretary, Anenla Sato.