Union Minister for DoNER Jyotiraditya Scindia and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on May 18 jointly launched a Rs 49.48-crore, cluster-based coffee value chain project aimed at turning Nagaland into a premium coffee-producing state. Launched virtually under the “Coffees of Nagaland” mission, the programme seeks to create an end-to-end coffee ecosystem covering cultivation, processing, quality control, branding and marketing.
The launch event in New Delhi was attended by Union Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar and Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang, with Coffee Board of India officials, farmers, entrepreneurs and state officials joining virtually from Niuland and Kohima districts. The initiative will begin with two pilot clusters: Touphema in Kohima district for Arabica and Ghotovi in Niuland district for Robusta, which will serve as model centres for wider state expansion.
The project package includes five hi-tech nurseries, expansion of plantations over 400 hectares, construction of washing stations and roastery-cum-cafés, and a coffee quality control laboratory. Infrastructure upgrades will cover internal roads and drip irrigation systems, while a blockchain-based traceability system with QR-code authentication will enable farm-to-cup tracking.
Scindia said the plan would improve farmer incomes and generate jobs across processing, roasting, brewing, tourism and allied sectors, noting the scheme would “position coffee as Nagaland’s key Unique Selling Proposition.” He added that the project aligns with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, promotes sustainable agroforestry and aims to reduce reliance on shifting jhum cultivation.
Capacity-building is a core component: in partnership with the Coffee Board of India, farmers and entrepreneurs will receive training in plantation management, post-harvest handling, roasting, brewing and barista skills. An umbrella branding campaign, “Coffees of Nagaland – Taste of Eminence,” will promote the state’s coffee on digital platforms, e-commerce and at national and international trade fairs.
Rio said coffee cultivation has steadily recovered since plantations were revived in 2014–15, reporting an increase in state output from 21 metric tonnes in 2021–22 to nearly 73 metric tonnes in 2024–25. He said Nagaland aims to bring 50,000 hectares under coffee by 2047 as part of the “Viksit Nagaland” vision and plans to integrate experiential coffee tourism-farm stays and farm-to-cup experiences-to create additional opportunities for youth and local entrepreneurs.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/nagaland/story/nagaland-bets-big-on-coffee-economy-with-rs-49-crore-coffees-of-nagaland-mission-1393861-2026-05-18?utm_source=rssfeed
Category:
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-05-18 20:22:00
