W’shop to promote entrepreneurship

Agriculture Production Commissioner (ACP), Y. Kikheto Sema on Friday opined that young entrepreneurs had the potential to transform the economy of Nagaland.
In this regard, he encouraged them to focus on creating a chain between farmers’ community and markets.
Speaking at the “workshop to promote entrepreneurship culture in Nagaland” organised by Agri & Allied department, and sponsored by Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) at Rhododendron hall, police complex, Chümoukedima, APC lamented that employment in government jobs had reached a saturation point. He stated that one way to address unemployment was to avail schemes and policies provided by the government of India.
Kikheto stressed that it was high time to plan for a new Nagaland where people realise the importance of entrepreneurship and self-sustenance.
He stated that the concept of entrepreneurship culture has been increasing in Nagaland after the pandemic and now it was time to provide all logistics support to them.
APC said there was less scope in large and medium-scale industries in Nagaland and the only hope was Agri & Allied activities.
Stating that Nagaland was blessed with varied agro-climatic zone, he pointed out that there was huge potential when it came to Agro-based industries.
He suggested the young entrepreneurs to take expenditures into account while importing. In this regard, he disclosed that Nagaland spent about 1250 crore on meat and meat products, 550 crore on fruits, vegetables and others in a year, followed by expenditure on education outside the state which amounted to around 1200 crore. He stressed on the need for young entrepreneurs to connect farmers’ community and markets, and act as a chain to promote local products.
In the keynote address, MSME, Mercy Epao highlighted the objective of the MSME which was to promote untapped creativity and adoption of latest technologies in MSMEs that seek validation of ideas.
She disclosed that 45% of national manufacturing output were contributed through MSMEs towards economic development of the nation, with 49% of total exports, 30% contribution in GDP, 11 crore people were employed in the MSME sector, 6.3 crore enterprises were registered and more than 6000 products were contributed through MSME.
Earlier, welcome address was delivered by Agriculture department additional secretary, Sentiwapang Aier and vote of thanks was proposed by Industries & Commerce, commissioner & secretary, Kekhrievor Kevichusa.
Success stories of entrepreneurs were presented by M/S Aero-Bio production unit Dimapur, Wati Jamir, founder & director Arieltis Health care Pvt. Ltd, Dr. Esha Roy, founder & director Bluepine Foods Pvt. Ltd Aditi Madan and founder of Jaong Everyday Express Transport & Logistics, Dimapur, Limanungsang.
The workshop included overview session on MSME sector, credit facilitation, capacity linkage and competitiveness, and market linkage and competitiveness.
Resources persons included joint director O/o DC (MSME) Delhi, Pawan Kumar Singh, joint director MSME DFO Dimapur, Tali Longchar, KVIC, Dimapur, Sani Pongen, zonal head NSIC/NISSH Guwahati, Vijay Prakash, NSSHO, Guwahati Peter T and assistant director MSME DFO, Dimapur, Selwin Samraj.