Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, MAY 25 (NPN): In a significant step toward transforming Nagaland’s agriculture and allied sectors, the Nagaland State Cooperative Marketing & Consumers’ Federation (MARCOFED) on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ERDE Agro Ecosystems Pvt. Ltd. at Niathu Resort.
The MoU was formalized during a workshop, held on the topic “Transformation of Nagaland State Agriculture, Horticulture & Spices Ecosystem”, attended by officials from MARCOFED, ERDE Agro, ICAR, and other stakeholders.
MARCOFED chairman, Dr M Chuba Ao expressed optimism over the collaboration, terming it a “visionary step” toward reviving cooperative sector in the state. He highlighted that MARCOFED, established in 1968 under Department of Cooperation, was approaching six decades of existence but has faced significant challenges over the past 20 years, including financial constraints and non-functional cooperative societies.
Recalling struggles since assuming office in 2018, Chuba said the federation had to streamline operations, reduce manpower, and explore alternative models beyond government dependence. “We realized that depending solely on government support is not sustainable. Exploring a public-private partnership model became necessary for survival and growth” he stated.
He pointed out that of the nearly 8,000 registered cooperative societies, only about five per cent remain functional, underscoring the urgent need for restructuring and renewed direction.
He stressed that agriculture requires long-term planning, adding that meaningful transformation in the sector would take at least a decade to achieve.
Welcoming ERDE Agro, the chairman described the company as a “high-tech and advanced player” in agriculture sector, particularly appreciating its integrated approach to production, marketing linkages, and value addition.
He also revealed the on-going efforts to develop cassava-based ethanol production in collaboration with a UK-based firm, though progress has been slowed due to global financial constraints.
Meanwhile, delivering the keynote address, Promoter/Director, ERDE Agro, Ecosystems Pvt Ltd., Dr Sukrut Mehta, outlined the company’s end-to-end agri-platform model aimed at connecting farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and buyers.
He explained that the platform focuses on market access, supply chain optimization, and value addition, rather than acting merely as an intermediary. “We aim to enable farmers with access to markets, infrastructure, and capital, ensuring transparency across the value chain”, he said.
Mehta also emphasized a three-phase strategy, establishing market linkages and ensuring consistent quality, building brand value and promoting products, and advancing into agro-processing and value-added production.
Highlighting the role of technology, he said ERDE Agro leverages tools such as satellite-based imaging, soil testing, and data-driven insights to improve productivity and supply chain efficiency and also stressed importance of identifying multiple buyers for different quality grades of produce to maximize returns for farmers.
He noted that the company plans to set up resource centres across FPOs and cooperative societies linked to MARCOFED, offering services such as input supply, technical guidance, and market intelligence.
He further pointed that many FPOs in Nagaland were yet to be registered with Small Farmers’ Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), urging stakeholders to address the gap to unlock financial and institutional support.
The programme also featured power point presentations by Promoter/Director, ERDE Agro, Ecosystems Pvt Ltd., Sanjiv Masalia, while a brief address was also delivered by Northeast Business Development & Operations Head, ERDE Agro, Dr. Lalit Wahengbam.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by DGM, MARCOFED, Dr Nukshilemla Imsong, welcome address delivered by Addl RCS & MD, MARCOFED, R Bendang Ao.