Under the grant assistance of Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, India and credit assistance from North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited (NEDFi), a horticulture processing unit-Imchen Tea Product- Cold Mountain Organic Product was inaugurated in Burma Camp, Dimapur on January 27.
The integrated processing unit promoted by Lanuakum Imchen, a young agripreneur of the state will process multiple horticultural crops, primarily, pineapple, kiwi, large cardamom, ginger, turmeric etc. The unit will give the much needed market linkage support to one of the biggest organic pineapple cluster of the region situated at Molvom and Bunsang village of the state.
The inaugural function was graced by chairman and managing director of NEDFi, B Paul Muktieh, as chief guest, director, directorate of Horticulture, Dr. R Elithung Lotha, as guest of honour, department of agriculture, additional director S Kivikhu Achumi, as keynote speaker, Dr Akali Sema, School of Agricultural Science and Rural Development, Nagaland University, members of Molsang Organic Farmer Producer Company and other young entrepreneurs of the state.
Dr. Akali Sema complimented Imchen for the success story he has created for the young entrepreneurs of the state. S Kivikhu Achumi, explained about the objectives of the MOVCDNER.
Dr. E Elithung Lotha, in his speech emphasized on the prime minister’s vision of making NER an organic hub and support received in the form of MOVCDNER. He further stated that, the state has already started producing 100% certified organic products in various clusters under the mission. He urged the young entrepreneurs to follow the footstep of Lanuakum Imchen.
B Paul Muktieh in his speech opined that North East has the inherent advantage to become the hub of organic cultivation due to its traditional cultivation practice. He stressed on the need of adequate post-harvest management infrastructure to address the logistical challenge of the region. He further stated the importance of close collaboration between the farmers and entrepreneurs for growth of horticultural sector of the region.
MOVCDNER is a flagship scheme of the ministry to promote organic farming in the region through production, post-harvest management and marketing.