Nagaland bags award at Organic Festa Asia

Nagaland state government has been conferred the “Distinguished Holistic Organic Developments Award 2025” at the Organic Festa Asia, organised by IFOAM-Organics Asia in collaboration with Messe Dusseldorf, held in Shanghai, China, from September 3-5, 2025.
In a press release, Nagaland entourage informed that the award was received by industries & commerce (I&C) director, P. Tokugha Sema, and horticulture additional director, Medemshiba, on behalf of the state.
The recognition was accorded in acknowledgement of Nagaland’s promotion of organic farming and sustainable practices under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) and initiatives taken under the leadership of chief minister Neiphiu Rio.
The efforts of entrepreneur, Lanuakum Imchen, founder of M/s Imchen Tea Products (popularly known as Cold Mountain Organics), were also instrumental in securing the recognition for the state.
Imchen, who also serves as director of cooperation and networking (India) at IFOAM-Organics Asia, co-chair of Young Organics–Global Network (YOGN), and Organic Youth Ambassador of IFOAM-Organics Asia, has been actively promoting organic farming through food processing, marketing, training, and welfare initiatives.
The release also highlighted that Nagaland, under the leadership of chief minister Rio, signed an MoU to become a member of ALGOA (Asian Local Governments for Organic Agriculture), a sister organisation of IFOAM-Organics Asia. The state’s membership was facilitated by Nagaland Organic Konnect (NOK), an NGO based in Dimapur, which organised the Asia Organic Youth Forum in 2019. Former CEO of IDAN, Alemtemshi Jamir (IAS retd.), was also credited for his contribution in securing the membership during the initial years.
As a member of ALGOA, Nagaland has since been actively engaging with IFOAM-Organics Asia, which enabled the state to achieve greater visibility in the global organic movement.
To further marketing efforts, the I&C department and M/s Imchen Tea Products have also formed a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for branding and marketing of food products.
Prior to the Organic Festa Asia, representatives from the I&C department attended the 3rd Organic Districts World Congress (ODWC), held from August 25–28 at Chehe Organic Village, Shanxi Province, China, co-hosted by IFOAM-Organics Asia and the government of Datong City.
During the Organic Festa Asia, several departments and enterprises participated under the Nagaland India Pavilion.
A 15-member delegation from the state attended the event, with IFOAM-Organics Asia sponsoring exposure and field visits, while the organisers provided a 50% subsidy on stall rentals for self-paying entrepreneurs and departments.
The state government extended gratitude to IFOAM-Organics Asia for the support and expressed hope for continued collaboration in the future.