DIMAPUR, SEP 24 (NPN): State chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio on Thursday launched the Chief Minister’s Fellowship Programme, Nagaland (CMFPN) and a NEDFi-TEDF research project aimed at identifying strategies for export promotion, creative-economy development and investment diversification in the state.
According to a DIPR report, the two initiatives, launched at the CMRC Conference Hall, Kohima, were undertaken by the Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) in collaboration with the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi).
Speaking at the launching programme, Rio said both initiatives were aimed at identifying Nagaland’s strengths and capacities, understanding emerging opportunities and challenges, and preparing the state for the future. He identified agriculture and horticulture, tourism, music, arts, culture, sports and emerging sectors as areas with significant potential, but said this needed to be converted into economic opportunities through enterprise, investment, markets and exports, particularly to create employment.
Highlighting the creative economy, Rio said Nagaland’s artists, musicians, designers, sportspersons, entrepreneurs and young innovators could contribute beyond culture and entertainment to livelihoods, tourism, technology and employment. He said efforts to create, brand and promote Nagaland should use its culture and creativity as instruments of economic growth while connecting the state’s local identity with national and global platforms.
On the fellowship programme, Rio described the initiative as an investment in human resources and encouraged the 18 selected fellows to use the opportunity to engage with policymakers, administrators, professionals and development experts. He said the programme should extend beyond assignments and certificates and enable fellows to gain practical knowledge and experience.
Rio said the state’s broader objective was to build a more resilient, innovative and investment-ready Nagaland by supporting entrepreneurship and innovation and encouraging private enterprise alongside public investment. He also stressed on partnerships with private and educational institutions, civil society, development organisations and institutions across India and abroad while remaining rooted in Nagaland’s identity and traditions.
Advisor to the chief minister and IDAN chairman Abu Metha said the research project covered all 17 districts, nearly 300 villages and more than 8,000 inputs, bringing together grassroots perspectives with data and inputs from experts, academics, development practitioners, government officials and other stakeholders.
According to Metha, the study identified strengths in agriculture, horticulture, textiles, human capital and the creative economy, while pointing to gaps in value addition, market linkages and promotion. He said the findings were intended to contribute to policy formulation, strategic planning and concrete action rather than remain merely documentation.
The creative-economy component covered music, art, sports, tourism, textiles, handicrafts, handlooms and events. Metha said the state’s approach to the sector had attracted interest from other states and international partners.
On the CMFPN, Metha said the programme was inspired by his experience with the International Visitor Leadership Programme of the US Department of State in 2014 and the exposure it provided to global networks, best practices, governance and policy approaches. The fellowship was subsequently conceived for Nagaland’s context.
The 18 fellows, selected through an open application and interview process, would receive exposure to government institutions, NGOs and international missions, as well as mentorship from senior leaders, bureaucrats and technocrats. They would also undertake assignments and internships with government departments and institutions, with exposure to sectors including agriculture, MSMEs, industry, tourism, sports and the Hornbill Festival.
Metha said the programme aimed to equip the fellows with knowledge, experience and networks to contribute to society and development in Nagaland. He urged them to make full use of the opportunity, saying that “knowledge and experience gained by one should be knowledge and experience gained by all.”
CMFPN was first proposed in 2024 and received an allocation of Rs.2.50 crore in the 2025-26 state Budget. It is intended to provide young professionals with practical exposure to governance, public policy and development processes while enabling them to contribute their skills and knowledge to the state’s development.
The programme was chaired by IDAN under secretary I Changsang, who said the two initiatives brought together a shared commitment towards creating new pathways for development in Nagaland. Additional secretary, Vineet Kumar, proposed the vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to the chief minister, NEDFi, IDAN, researchers, experts, officers and stakeholders for their contribution towards the initiatives.
