Business Association of Nagas (BAN) is all set to organize the first of its kind, “Nagaland International Coffee Seminar”, (NICS) on October 1 and 2, at Hotel Acacia, Dimapur. The event has been designed to provide local entrepreneurs with opportunities to learn from experts, showcase Nagaland Coffee’s unique qualities, and elevate its profile on both nation and global scales.
Addressing media persons at BAN secretariat office, DC Court Junction, Dimapur, convener, NICS, Nukuzo Phesao, said the seminar will be organized by BAN, supported by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), and in collaboration and guidance of Land Resource Department.
Dwelling on the concept of the seminar, he said amidst the state emerging as a promising hub for coffee industry, BAN has witnessed gap in the coffee industry due to tons of orders but less production.
He therefore said the seminar has been designed to bring together growers, producers, traders aggregators, roasters, and major coffee bands and to provide local entrepreneurs with opportunities to learn from experts, showcase state’s unique qualities of coffee, and also to elevate its profile in the national and international level.
He further highlighted on the four key objectives of the seminar, which included knowledge exchange, networking, promotion and sustainable development.
The seminar will be graced by three resource persons from South Africa, which includes entrepreneur and business consultant, Somerset West, South Africa, Jaco Janse Van Rensburg;, founder, Noble Cause, South Africa, Pieter Vermulen, and founder, Merkava Coffee, Somerset West, South Africa, Calvin Botes.
Co-convener, NICS, Lemjan Phom, in her address said that BAN felt the need to intervene pointing out discouragement of famers as many were on the verge of giving up coffee farming due to lack of knowledge. She however added that after its intervention, many farmers were now returning into the field.
She also added the state was currently producing 800 to 1000 kilos of coffee cherries per day, while some of the best coffee cherries in the state were produced from Wokha, Mokokchung, and Kohima.
She added that BAN, in collaboration with MSME would try to provide Primary Processing Unit in each districts. Meanwhile, convener, standing committee on MSME, BAN, Benthungo Kithan, in his address said that BAN has been exploring various opportunities for Naga entrepreneurs benefit. He lamented that though there are many central and state government scheme, Nagas were not able to take advantage of it. NICS organizing committee, Renathung Ezung, in his message, also expressed confidence that Nagaland can grow and produce premium quality coffee, and also cited the advantage of organic.