Nagaland International Coffee Seminar, organized by the Business Association of Nagas (BAN), commenced on Tuesday at Hotel Acacia, attracting a vibrant assembly of coffee growers, entrepreneurs, and industry experts from across the region.
The seminar was inaugurated by distinguished guests, Lok Sabha MP, Supongmeren Jamir and Joint Secretary of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Mercy Epao.
Delivering keynote address, Mercy elaborated on the government’s wide range of schemes for entrepreneurs under MSME, highlighting six key verticals that can provide crucial support for coffee businesses. She outlined a roadmap for coffee entrepreneurs to thrive, urging participants to take full advantage of these opportunities to propel the local coffee industry to new heights.
Supongmeren, sharing personal reflections on his experiences as a coffee farmer over four decades ago, emphasized the need for strong collaboration between farmers and government bodies like MSME and SIDBI. He encouraged participants to work together for the economic advancement of both Nagaland and the nation, noting the vast potential of coffee as an economic driver.
BAN president, L. Mongkum Jamir, while delivering welcome address, expressed the association’s commitment to support Nagaland’s coffee sector.
Resource person, South African entrepreneur and business consultant, Jaco Janse Van Rensburg, delivered a thought-provoking presentation on transforming the coffee value chain through organic and regenerative farming methods. He stressed the importance of adopting fair trade models, enabling the industry to operate more ethically and in harmony with environmental conservation efforts.
Dr. Alika N. Zhimo, SDO (SC) of the department of Soil & Water Conservation, provided a detailed analysis of sustainable coffee farming with a special focus on the vital role of soil health.
During the interactive workshops and entrepreneurial journeys, Vivito Yeptho, Co-Founder and MD of Nagaland Coffee, demonstrated how to identify defects in green coffee beans, while Pieter Vermeulen, founder of Noble Cause, shared his experience in bringing Nagaland Coffee to the international stage.
SIDBI’s Assistant General Manager, Suresh Kumar Rai, also spoke on the financial support schemes available to entrepreneurs, providing a comprehensive overview of how SIDBI can empower coffee businesses in Nagaland.
The day session concluded with an address by Lichan Humtsoe, founder of ETE Coffee, who recounted his entrepreneurial journey, 2016 with minimal support.
On day-two (October 2), workshops, expert discussions, and collaborative opportunities aimed at charting the course for a sustainable and prosperous coffee industry in Nagaland will be conducted.