Parliamentary secretary for industries and commerce Amenba Yaden stated that the State government has been promoting organic farming in a “big way” with a long term plan for achieving “total organic state status” which he said was “attractive to high value markets for export”.
He was speaking at awareness and training for small and medium food business operators organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) North East food processing, Tuesday at Hotel Acacia, Dimapur as guest speaker.
Yaden observed that Nagaland like the rest of the north eastern states was primarily agrarian economy with more than 70% of its population dependent on agriculture and related activities.
He said that agro-climatic and geographical condition is conducive for many sub-tropical and temperate fruits, vegetables and spices like ginger, chilies turmeric, cardamom etc.
On spices grown in Nagaland, Yaden pointed out that spices like Naga chilli, turmeric and cardamom have been identified as visible process able commodities.
He also urged the ministry of food processing industries as well as the stakeholders which includes growers, processors and business operators to take note of the existing potentials in this sector and workout roadmaps and action plans to turn potentials into real economic opportunities.
The parliamentary secretary also informed that State government has notified special economic zone for agro and food processing at Ganeshnagar, Dimapur where plots and sheds are made available for any “serious takers” for setting up agro-based food processing industries for export.
He also informed that State government has also acquired 100 acres of land for setting up mega food park project at Khopanalla, Dimapur. Yaden then requested the ministry of food processing industries to consider, favorably, one mega food park project for Nagaland. He also requested the Ministry to consider assistance to the state for establishing a proper cold supply chain network complete with cold storages, refrigerated vehicles, value addition and preservation infrastructure and a food testing laboratory. Yaden then added that DPRs for all these projects would be submitted soon.
The parliamentary secretary also expressed concern over “delinking” central financial assistance for Nagaland Mission on Food Processing- a centrally sponsored scheme which was launched during the 12th five year plan. However, Yaden lamented that Union budget (2015-16) presented on February 28, government of India has delinked central financial assistance with effect from April 1, 2015.
He said delinking of the same was unfortunate as Nagaland like that rest of the north eastern states have no resources to promote food processing activities.
During the programme, welcome speech was delivered by CII Nagaland chapter chairman and managing director, Lords Infotech management Pvt. Ltd Ajay Sethi, an address was also delivered by horticulture of Nagaland director Watiebla and vote of thanks was delivered by CII Nagaland chapter past chairman Dr. Aotoshi.
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