Nagaland’s first organic AC Market boosts farmers’ incomes by 35%

Since its inauguration in 2020, Nagaland’s first organic Air-Conditioned (AC) Market at Agri Expo, Chümoukedima, has emerged as one of the state’s most successful agri-marketing and post-harvest infrastructure projects. Spread over 42,230 sq. ft, the facility houses a 2,000 sq. ft AC daily market, 1,750 sq. ft cold storage unit (100 MT capacity), 2,700 sq. ft grading and packaging area, and a 2,500 sq. ft mini-park with a water fountain.
Speaking exclusively to Nagaland Post, N. Jacob Yanthan, CEO of the Nagaland State Agricultural Produce and Livestock Marketing Board (NSAPLMB), said the AC Market has become a key hub for daily transactions, aggregation, grading, and cold storage of produce for both wholesale and retail operations.
Currently, around 65–70% of the built-up space is in use, depending on crop seasons, with 120–150 farmers, SHGs, and traders engaging weekly. The market has facilitated the export of over 900 metric tonnes of produce—mainly pineapple, kiwi, Naga king chilly, ginger, turmeric, and cardamom—to Assam, West Bengal, and Delhi.
Yanthan said farmers using the facilities have seen income rises between 20–35% due to better prices and reduced spoilage. NSAPLMB has tied up with FPOs, APEDA, and private aggregators for pilot shipments to Kolkata and Guwahati and is developing a digital trading platform for e-mandi integration with e-NAM.
He said power reliability is ensured through a hybrid system of solar, generator, and grid power, with solar meeting 30–40% of energy needs. The market’s cold storage reaches up to 90% utilization during harvest peaks.
Yanthan added that NSAPLMB plans to expand facilities, strengthen post-harvest management, and promote Nagaland’s organic produce through branding, GI-tagged crops, and participation in national expos.
“Our goal is to make Nagaland’s farmers more competitive, self-reliant, and connected to national markets,” he stated.