Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, JUL 6 (NPN): Minister for Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and Cooperation, Jacob Zhimomi, on Monday called upon cooperative societies across Nagaland to take the lead in nature conservation and strengthening the village economy through sustainable and self reliant initiatives.
Speaking at the Cooperative Week 2026 tree plantation drive and culmination programme held at the Agri Expo Site, Chümoukedima, Jacob congratulated the Cooperation Department, led by the secretary, Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS), and officers including ARCS Chümoukedima, for successfully organising the programme. He also joined the plantation drive by planting a sapling.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, the minister said the cleanliness and plantation drive reflected the responsibility of cooperatives towards environmental conservation.
He stressed that Nagaland’s greatest wealth lies in its biodiversity, fertile land and forests, and urged village based cooperatives to actively promote nature conservation.
Jacob noted that cooperatives and Self Help Groups (SHGs) play a vital role in agriculture, crafts and livelihood activities contributing to the state’s economy. He emphasised that strengthening village cooperatives would ultimately strengthen both the state and national economy.
Referring to the Government of India’s focus on the cooperative sector, he said the objective was to build a strong grassroots economic foundation through holistic development.
He urged societies to capitalise on Nagaland’s cultural, traditional and natural strengths, while also introducing awareness about the cooperative movement among students to nurture the spirit of cooperation from an early age.
Calling for self reliance, Jacob observed that Nagaland depends heavily on imported goods despite having numerous retail businesses. “We must become producers and not remain only consumers,” he said, noting that sustainable development can only be achieved by increasing local production.
He informed that the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) has expanded its presence in the Northeast with new schemes to support cooperatives, but cautioned against overdependence on subsidies. Assistance, he said, should be used for value addition in poultry, fisheries, agriculture and handicrafts rather than viewed as mere financial windfalls.
Pointing out that only around 2,000 of the more than 8,200 registered cooperative societies in Nagaland are currently operational, he suggested integrating cooperatives with SHGs and forming Project Management Units to improve accountability and efficiency. He further noted that the Government of India is computerising cooperative societies through an online portal to enhance monitoring and governance.
Encouraging healthy competition, Jacob proposed creating a platform for successful cooperatives to share best practices. He urged youth to reduce dependence on government assistance and strive for financial independence through entrepreneurship and cooperation.
Explaining the choice of venue, he said Chümoukedima, along with Dimapur and Niuland, is emerging as a major business hub with significant potential for future growth.
The programme was chaired by ARCS Gwaruno Khing, invocation by Rev. Gwanilo Khing, pastor of Rengma Baptist Church, Sovima while the welcome address was delivered by Additional Registrar of Cooperative Societies and Managing Director, MARCOFED, R. Bendang, and vote of thanks by Athonlo Thyug.