DIMAPUR, JUL 14 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday described the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Nagaland and Cooperl as the beginning of a landmark partnership based on mutual trust, shared aspirations and sustainable development.
Cooperl (formally Cooperl Arc Atlantique) is the largest pork processing company and a leading agricultural cooperative in France, headquartered in Lamballe, Brittany.
In a series of posts on X, Rio thanked French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou and the Cooperl leadership for the partnership. Marking the beginning of the collaboration, Rio also conveyed greetings to the Government and people of France on the occasion of La Fête Nationale, expressing hope that the values of liberty, equality and fraternity would continue to inspire nations across the world.
Highlighting Nagaland’s strengths, Rio said the state had long been recognised as one of India’s leading pig-rearing states, with pig farming deeply embedded in its culture, economy and rural livelihoods. He said the partnership with Cooperl would provide an opportunity to modernise the sector through scientific breeding and adoption of best practices.
He further said the collaboration would focus on training farmers, veterinarians and technical professionals, while establishing a centre dedicated to protecting and promoting Nagaland’s indigenous pig breeds, balancing innovation with conservation.
Rio also said the partnership demonstrated how cultural diplomacy could evolve into meaningful economic cooperation.
He noted that France’s participation as the partner country at the Hornbill Festival 2025 had fostered genuine friendships, built confidence and opened new avenues for collaboration.
Expressing optimism over future engagements, Rio said he hoped the project would be the first of many collaborations between France and Nagaland across diverse sectors.
He reiterated the state government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for responsible investment, innovation and international partnerships for sustainable development.
