The foundation stone for the Khutak Valley Organic Processing Plant (KVOPP) was officially laid at the processing site in Khanimu-Longjang village by Advisor for Law & Justice and Land Revenue, TN Mannen.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mannen emphasized Longjang’s potential to become the “breadbasket” of Mokokchung district due to its fertile land and favorable geographical conditions for farming.
He encouraged youth and farmers to embrace agriculture as a sustainable livelihood and expressed gratitude to the Department of Horticulture for its support in realizing the project through the Khutak Valley Organic Producer Company Limited Longjang (KVOPCLL).
Mannen commended retired officers of Longjang village for their initiative in establishing KVOPCLL and urged them to safeguard the brand’s trademark and purity while striving to make it a recognized name in the organic sector. “Do not let temporary setbacks discourage KVOPCLL on the path towards a bigger vision. Let this project be the first step toward economic renaissance for Longjang and Khanimu,” he stated.
District Horticulture Officer (DHO) Mokokchung, Dr. Amenla, applauded the KVOPCLL board members for championing organic farming as an income-generating initiative. She also announced that installation of machinery for the processing plant will begin soon and encouraged farmers to expand citrus fruit plantations in the region.
KVOPP is a flagship project launched by the Department of Horticulture, Government of Nagaland, under the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), with Entrepreneur Associates, Nagaland, as the supporting partner. The MOVCDNER scheme, implemented by the Indian government, aims to promote organic farming, facilitate market access for organic produce, and build a sustainable value chain for farmers in the Northeast.