UNION MIN SCINDIA VIRTUALLY LAUNCHES RS 49.48 CRORE COFFEE CLUSTER PROJECT IN NAGALAND

Added: 2026-05-18

[00:00:11][music] [music] [music] Uh, It's my duty to uh walk you through the implementation architecture that sits behind the honorable minister and honorable chief minister's vision for the state's copy ecosystem. This has been a fruit of almost a uh an effort which started with honorable uh minister donor guiding us that there is a need for sustained engagement between donor and government of Nagaland to diagnose why are premium Arabica and robusta which is cultivated in highly conducive high altitude environments under natural forest shade in Nagala continues to yield fragmented returns for our primary growers and to design a corrective framework that captures value closer to the farm gate. Sir, the result today is a comprehensive three-year road map again guided by our honorable minister which is anchored initially at two pilot clusters to FMA Kohima for Arabica and Kotovi Nuland for Roasta but this has been done with a consolidated master plan which envisages the total investment of roughly rupees 175 crores over the next three years within which the ministry of donor is committed to provide in support of uh around 44 crores and all this will be deployed through a multi-pronged development model.

[00:02:03]Sir Nagaland's climate and topography are naturally suited for high-grade coffee. It also offers a highly sustainable alternative to traditional cultivation. However sir as you had noticed the sector is constrained by small scattered land holdings which average roughly.5 hectares and which makes it very difficult for an individual farmer to achieve any economies of scale and that's why s directed by you a clusterbased FO model is being thought of as a a structural a structural corrective.

[00:02:38]There is a huge price gap that we intend to close. Farmers are currently selling their green coffee bean be beans at approximately 200 to 250 rupees per kilograms while the processed roasted and specialty grown ground coffee could fetch roughly 2,000 to 2,500 rupees per kilogram. The idea is to transition our FPOS from primary suppliers to value adding entrepreneurs.

[00:03:04]At the same time, it also noticed that reliance on manual pulping and inadequate drying facilities are limiting quality standardization and as a result of that there are a lot of posth harvest losses. Mechanized washing stations and roasterries are now going to be integrated at the cluster level.

[00:03:24]At the same time, 75 to 80% of Nagalan's coffee is currently consumed domestically.

[00:03:29]We are trying to integrate coffee cultivation with experiential tourism which would mean palm stays and roaster cafes and this would provide an immediate high margin revenue stream for our rural youth. So the mission is going to be delivered through a holistic value chain model. We have mapped every infrastructure capacity building and marketing into a single cohesive framework. The mission now represents a total outlay as I mentioned of rupes 175 crores over the next three years with donor providing an anchor support of about 44 crores.

[00:04:02]>> Today on behalf of the farmers of I offer our heartfelt thanks to you honorable union minister for the transformative mission coffee of Nagalen and also grateful to our honorable chief minister for recognizing the coffee as the state USP.

[00:04:20]What we also extend our sincere gratitude to chief secretary sir for his personal support and guidance that has made this novel project take off so sweetly. Your commitment to the upliftment of the people of Nagalen gives us great confidence.

[00:04:38]Vi cluster is lowland area and robusta has been introduced since 2015 16. It is doing very well and production has been started produ producing about 7,000 kgs.

[00:04:51]As the farmer of this area are garnering more interest in coffee plantation, the government and department of land resources are helping farmers fulfill their wishes by providing all possible assistance.

[00:05:06]With this value project, we are hopeful that there will be increase in area expansion and production with value addition to the final products. This will help the farmers of hotel cluster in economic upliftment and employment opportunities to the youth. This mission has given us hope, dignity and sustainable future. We promise to make coffee of Nagalen a proud brand of excellence.

[00:05:33]Thank you all. Jen Chai Nagalen >> respected honorable chief minister donor sir honorable chief minister of Nagalen chief secretary sir respected dignitaries and friends today on behalf of the farmers of gotovi I offer our heartful thanks to you honorable union minister for the transformative mission coffees of nagaland a true follow up to our states USP that will bring immense inclusive growth to every corner of Nagaland. We are deeply grateful to our visionary honorable chief minister for recognizing coffee as the single most powerful crop for the economic growth of our state. From high techch nurseries to agroforestry in C2 processing and strong focus and on gender inclusiveness, this value chain will equitably multiply the value of our coffees of Nagaland. We will earn far more while protecting our forest from slash and burn practices and preserving our rich natural heritage. We also extend our sincere gratitude to chief secretary sir for his personal support and guidance that has made the novel project take off so swiftly. Your commitment to the upliftment of the people of Naraland give us great confidence. This mission has given us hope, dignity and a sustainable future.

[00:07:09]We promise to make coffees of Naraland a proud brand of excellence. Thank you all. Jim Jaglin, >> I extend our deepest gratitude to each one of you for making today's launch of the clusterbased coffee value chain development in Nagland a reality.

[00:07:28]Today is not merely the launch of a project. It is the beginning of a new chapter for Nagland. The generous support of the government of India, the ministry of donor and the northeastern council reflects a strong belief in the potential of our people and our land. We sincerely thank the honorable union minister for championing development initiatives that empower rural communities and create sustainable livelihoods across the northeast. We are especially grateful to our honorable chief minister for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment towards transforming coffee into one of Nagland's flagship industries. His vision for Vixit Nagland has inspired confidence among industries, farmers, entrepreneurs and young people across the state. Our sincere appreciation also goes to the department of land resources, the coffee board of India, technical experts, officials, field workers and every individual who work tirelessly behind the scenes in planning and shaping this ambitious initiative. As entrepreneurs, we are hopeful that this initiative will create opportunities not only in coffee farming but also in progressing branding, tourism, hospitality and global marketing. Together we can proudly take coffees of Nagland to the world stage.

[00:08:52]Let us move forward with unity, dedication and confidence towards a future of prosperity and pride for our state. Thank you all once again and may this initiative achieve great success. J >> on 5th December last year in a traditional stone cooling ceremony at Tokma [snorts] which is still fresh in our mind.

[00:09:20]So you had inaugurated the regional trust resource center and you have seen lot of antligraphs and blacksmithies.

[00:09:31]You had also inoculated so many uh projects of donor amounting to 40 50 crores laying foundation stone and inorations.

[00:09:46]Your visit to us was a blessing indeed.

[00:09:51]And so you had taken time to visit and pick coffee by yourself in the farm. And also you decided that you will have coffee only in the coffee farm which the farmers happily did and we are all fascinated.

[00:10:10]I'm grateful to him for his generous support for the transformative project concerning development of coffee in the state. As mentioned amount of rupees 4406 crores is being provided by donor and NC to the department of land resource of Nagal for project cluster based coffee value chain development in Nagalen.

[00:10:36]When we say coffee is the USP of Nagaland, we are not making claim. We are stating a fact that the government of India has acknowledged and supported wholeheartedly.

[00:10:50]Nland has a long way since the revival of coffee plantation back in 20145.

[00:10:59]Today coffee is no longer just an alternative crop. It is becoming a vehicle of sustainable property.

[00:11:08]Our farmers have shown remarkable resilience and interest from the June from just 21 metric ton in 202122.

[00:11:21]Production has grown to nearly 73 metric ton in the year 2024 25.

[00:11:30]The potential before us is enormous 50,000 hectares by 2047 under big city nag the project is designed exactly for that lip by focusing on two wellchosen pilot cluster as mentioned to in Kohama district and govi in Newland district we are creating models of excellence High techch nurseries will ensure quality plantation materials. Modern post harvest infrastructure including nine washing station and rosteries will add value at the farm gate and the ambitious branding and marketing campaign will establish copy of Nagaland as a premium traceable single origin brand. The project also beautifully integrated experimental coffee tourism [clears throat] farm stays where we visitors can experience the journey from Chiri to Ka which will create additional income streams for our youth and entrepreneurs while showcasing our rich cultural and tribal uh tribal heritage.

[00:12:54]Most importantly, this initiative will provide dignified livelihood, reduce dependence on June cultivation, conservation of our forest and protect our fragile hill ecology. It is truly a project of people and by the people of the people and for the people. I assure all stakeholders that the government of Nagaland will provide all administrative and political support for timely and quality implementation.

[00:13:28]Department of land resources has been given clear in directions to ensure that every rupee is spent effectively and every beneficiary is empowered.

[00:13:41]To our farmers, this is your moment.

[00:13:45]Embrace the new technologies, participate in the training programs, and become brand ambassadors of Nagaland Coffee. The world is ready to savor the unique flavor of our high altitude showdown beans. The higher altitude coffee Arabica and the altitude of Rausta. Today as we launch this project, we are not just planting coffee. We have planting hope, prosperity and pride in our heels. I once again thank the government of India and all participants who have made this possible particularly the donor ministry and our union minister Cindy G who has personally come to the coffee fields picked by himself and had coffee and will always cherish your visit to the coffee farms and mix up with the people. Let us work together to make Nagalen a name that resonates with excellence in coffee across the globe. Thank you. enjoy it.

[00:14:59][music] >> Uh it truly is a historic uh day today uh uh for us uh within this ministry. Uh for me personally uh this is uh a part of a very very long journey uh that I personally have traversed uh starting uh almost uh two decades ago uh when uh I first experienced the vivacity and the capability uh of uh tea, coffee and spices uh across the length and breadth uh of our country. Uh since then it's had a very very deep impression on me. Uh that was uh uh somewhere around 2009 2010 when I was minister of state in the in the department of commerce and industry and that capability of our country uh has risen to a global height under the leadership of uh Prime Minister Narendra Modi G. uh his resolve has always been uh that these eight states uh represent uh not only the capability of India uh but truly are the driving force and the engines of Vix Bharat 2047.

[00:16:35]Uh and each one of these tr of these eight states have trailblazed a path of development and progress. Uh the central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a active uh and very deeply involved partner in that journey as it has unfolded uh for the Ashta Lakshmi and that journey has comprised across major infrastructural fronts uh major uh uh peace and tranquility fronts uh major international uh uh uh fronts. uh and therefore while uh uh we have been working assiduously the prime minister has also uh always pushed us to look beyond the normal boundaries and look at new paradigms that can transform people's lives across the ashta lakshmi the eight states and with that in mind uh a year and a half ago we embarked on this journey uh this journey of being able to identify a particular unique selling proposition for every state. Uh it was extremely important to look at comparative and comparative advantages and from that mantan if you will uh the amrit uh has emerged for each one of our ashta lakshmi states under the leadership of uh chief minister nephew Rioji. He was very very clear from uh the get-go that as far as Nagaland is concerned, he would like us to look at the area of coffee. uh and I recall as he just mentioned during my trip in December uh when I was uh uh honored uh to be with him uh for the Hornbill Festival uh in his home village in TUMA uh in Kohima district. Uh he very and I would like to thank him publicly for this. He very much uh if you will took me under his wing and made sure that I had a wonderful experience of every aspect of Naga culture. Uh and that's something that has left a very very deep impression in my heart. Uh uh I also must say and profess that uh he is someone with whom uh we have shared a very long uh family relationship with and therefore it was uh really heartwarming for me >> and uh I I remember during that trip he very clearly told me that I must take you to a coffee plantation in um in my village and in my area. And I remember we went there and we walked up the the trodden path to look at the uh coffee plantations to examine the different types >> [clears throat] >> uh of and different varieties of coffee.

[00:19:44]We then picked from those bushes and then he said to me he said come on I'll I'll teach you how to roast your own coffee and blend your own coffee. So uh in many ways for those 45 minutes he was my tutor.

[00:20:00]And uh whilst I was uh roasting the coffee and and boiling the coffee uh he uh was very clear that there must be excellence in every part of that stage.

[00:20:13]Uh and I must say we brewed a a pretty good uh pretty good cup of coffee which we then sat and and enjoyed uh in the middle of the coffee plantations.

[00:20:24]And uh throughout that journey we have uh looked at all our eight states [clears throat] from Kiwi in Arunachal Pradesh to uh Muga Silk in Asam to organic farming in Sikkim to uh Queen pineapple in Tripura uh to miso ginger to uh lacadong turmeric in Megal and and coffee in Nagaland. And let me tell you all ladies and gentlemen present here today that this is just not the opening of a another project but there has been a lot of hard work that has gone beh be behind conceptualizing this project. uh both the chief minister and I and the minister of state were very very clear that we must bring all stakeholders on board which means not only government of Nagaland which means not only donor which means not only the ministry of food processing uh but also means all our stakeholders our farmers our entrepreneurs our marketing people our private sector companies and therefore this is not and I must emphasize Guys, this is not a whole of government approach only. This is a whole of India approach towards the unique selling propositions of our eight ashta lakshmies. Uh in Sikkim I just flagged off the organic farming USP. Uh prior to that we did miso ginger uh last week. Today we are doing Nagaland coffee and therefore this 175 K project is a whole of India approach where donor is putting in 50 kores odd we've got the ministry of food processing contributing we've got the stakeholders contributing and two pilot clusters we are starting with uh one with in Tohima in Kohima in Tufia village and along with that in Gootoi uh where we are looking at Robusta and uh in uh to Fema village we're looking at Arabika. Now the capability of Nagaland is tremendous as far as coffee is concerned. uh not only because of the altitude, not only because of your capability of shadow farming, but also because of your capability of uh processing, branding uh and export and that's the leverage that we want to bring to the table because today as Secretary S said that not only are the yields uh comparatively very low but also the prices that my farmers are able to avail 2 and a half th00and 2,000 to 2 and a half th00and kilogram per kilog per kilogram of which only 10% value occurs to our farmers. We want to make sure that the our farmers take a greater part of the value chain and therefore we are going to bring about the processing centers the exportdriven strategies uh and also tourism related strategies for coffee. Sir, first and foremost, I would like to thank the honorable union minister for donor for always supporting the case of Nagalen and today's launch of this mission office of Nagaland is testament to that. In fact, sir, it was your idea that each state in the northeast should have a USB and >> the state of >> Am I audible?

[00:24:13]>> Yes. Yes.

[00:24:15]>> Yeah. So in fact sir it was your idea your suggestion that each state of the northeast should pick one USP and the state of Nagalan had picked coffee.

[00:24:30]Thank you sir.

[00:24:33]Sir I would also like to place on record our thanks and appreciation to the honorable chief minister of Nagaland.

[00:24:43]Sir, you have always recognized the potential of coffee as a commercial crop and you have been giving full support and encouragement to the department of land resources to develop coffee in the state.

[00:25:02]I also thank the honorable union minister of state for addressing the gathering and sharing his insights with us.

[00:25:16]I thank the honorable Diwi chief minister of Nagaland, the honorable adviser, all the officials including officials from the board of from the coffee board for gracing today's function. Last but not the least, my thanks goes to the farmers from Kotovi and Tofhima cluster.

[00:25:44]We are aware that coffee has great potential in the state and I hope that the farmers will take advantage of the support from the ministry of donor and make this project a success which will I hope transform the economic landscape of photo clusters. Thank you.