Thriving Together: The Inspiring Tale of Coffee Farming Collaboration in Nagaland’s Tuensang and Shamator
The Department of Land Resources (LRD) in Tuensang, in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India (CBI), conducted an extensive field tour from October 15 to 18, focusing on enhancing coffee cultivation in the Tuensang and Shamator districts. This initiative aimed to evaluate existing coffee plantations and educate local farmers about cultivating high-value coffee crops. The delegation was led by Er Moamongba Longchari, District Project Officer of LRD Tuensang, and Jayanta Ghosh, Deputy Director (Extension) of the CBI. This joint effort marks a significant step in the mission to expand coffee farming across Nagaland.
Throughout the tour, the team verified coffee plants and delivered hands-on training sessions, which included techniques ranging from sowing to cherry harvesting. This initiative is crucial, as coffee cultivation has gained renewed interest in Nagaland in recent years. Although the crop was initially introduced in 1981, large-scale cultivation efforts were paused due to challenges such as market access and management. However, since 2014, the LRD has revitalized these efforts, appreciating coffee’s potential to positively impact local economies and environmental practices. Coffee is posited as an environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional slash-and-burn (jhum) cultivation, which has long posed sustainability challenges in the region.
The tour formed part of a larger agenda to ensure quality and consistency in coffee production. Longchari emphasized the necessity of crop registration and developing market linkages, encouraging farmers to register for future support. Training programs during the tour aimed to empower farmers with essential knowledge to meet global coffee standards.
The LRD’s efforts, aligning with the broader vision of sustainable rural employment and environmental conservation, have been instrumental in providing technical assistance and training, making coffee cultivation a viable long-term agricultural solution in Nagaland.
Original Story https://www.morungexpress.com/coffee-farming-in-nagaland-a-collaborative-effort-in-tuensang-and-shamator
Category : Nagaland
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