CM, Coffee Board deliberate on coffee revival in Nagaland

The 219th Coffee Board meeting with chief minister, Dr. Neiphiu Rio, hosted by the department of Land Resources, was held September 3 at Vivor Hotel, Kohima, a DIPR report stated.
Addressing members of the Coffee Board of India, Rio said coffee plantation in Nagaland was first introduced in the 1980s with support from the Coffee Board but failed not because of the farmers, but because the Board could not manage it effectively. He, however, expressed hope that with renewed support from the Coffee Board to the department of land resources, coffee cultivation would regain momentum.
Stating that Nagaland had potential for coffee plantation in more than 10 lakh hectares, Rio said this could give the state an opportunity to identify itself with coffee under the “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision. He also pointed out that farmers in Nagaland were already producing exotic fruits such as avocados, persimmons, kiwi, dragon fruit and pineapples.
On challenges in the state’s industrial sector, Rio observed that the unresolved Naga political issue had discouraged investors. He cited the failure of Nagaland Paper Mill, which had partnered with Hindustan Paper Corporation, and the defunct Sugar Mill in Dimapur due to land constraints for sugarcane cultivation.
Rio, however, assured that while it may take time for industries to revive, Nagaland had the advantage of abundant local raw materials including petroleum, natural gas, rich minerals, lime and marble deposits. He stressed that without industries and imports, the most viable option remained farming. He urged farmers to utilise land resources for coffee cultivation and highlighted the scope of producing organic coffee, since the state prohibited use of chemical fertilisers.
The chief minister further urged Coffee Board members to interact with farmers during field visits, provide training, guide them in producing quality beans and supply nursery plantation materials.
The programme was chaired by Coffee Board CEO and secretary, Kurma Rao M, IAS. During their three-day stay in Kohima, Coffee Board members will also meet stakeholders and visit coffee plantations.