Advisor Ikuto Zhimomi touts Nagaland's coffee industry

• DIMAPUR — The Department of Land Resources, in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India and the Atal Incubation Centre-Central Coffee Research Institute-Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (AIC-CCRI-CED), organised the Coffee Canvas on the theme “A journey from farm to global market” at the Capital Cultural Hall, Kohima, on Monday.
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• MLA and Advisor for Land Resources, G Ikuto Zhimomi, speaking on the occasion, underscored the tremendous potential and growing global recognition of Nagaland’s coffee industry, according to a DIPR report.

• G Ikuto Zhimomi addressing the Coffee Canvas programme held at Capital Cultural Hall, Kohima, on Monday.

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• Highlighting the beverage’s global relevance, Zhimomi noted that coffee is the second most consumed drink after water, with over 2.25 billion cups consumed daily worldwide.
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• He emphasised Nagaland’s growing role in India’s northeast coffee landscape, alongside Assam, Manipur, and Meghalaya. “Nagaland’s coffee is steadily gaining popularity, with local communities embracing the culture and tradition of coffee,” he said.
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• He highlighted the Department of Land Resources’ pivotal role in leading a sustainable transformation in coffee cultivation across the state. As the nodal agency for coffee development, the department is promoting eco-friendly farming and processing methods to ensure Nagaland coffee retains its unique flavour profile while preserving the environment.
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• Zhimomi said Nagaland has immense potential for coffee cultivation, revealing that approximately 10.4 lakh hectares, which is 62.7% of the state’s total geographical area, are suitable for coffee. However, only 11,186.78 hectares, about 1.08%, have been utilised so far.

Also read: Nagaland bets on coffee as its unique selling point

• He also spoke of the international accolades earned by Nagaland coffee, which has drawn praise for its distinct taste, noting that at the Aurora International Taste Challenge (AITC) in South Africa, Nagaland coffee won a silver in 2021 and a gold in 2023 for its naturally processed coffee from the Nagaland Washing Station.
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• He added that Nagaland coffee is evolving from a commodity into a speciality, setting a benchmark for emerging coffee-producing regions, and the global recognition is a testament to the commitment of our farmers and stakeholders. He also mentioned that the government of Nagaland has formally recognised coffee as a key identity product and has adopted it as the state’s unique selling point (USP), ensuring authenticity and market value for local produce.
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• The advisor outlined the broader economic benefits of coffee cultivation, citing opportunities in plantations, processing, eco-tourism, and the rise of coffee-themed cafés. He said the industry is set to create jobs across the value chain, from baristas to tour guides, with sustainable economic development, strategic planning, innovation, and quality commitment shaping Nagaland’s future in the global coffee market.
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• Zhimomi described the ‘Coffee Canvas’ event as a platform for farmers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to explore the latest trends in coffee processing, branding, and marketing. He encouraged entrepreneurs to leverage these opportunities and build globally recognised coffee brands that empower local communities and boost the state’s revenue.
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• Director of Land Resources and CEO, SLNA, Albert Ngullie, stated that in 2014, the department, in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India, began efforts to revive existing plantations and expand area coverage under coffee cultivation, considering the immense potential of the crop in the state.
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• He said, Nagaland possesses highly favourable agro-climatic conditions for the healthy growth of both Arabica and Robusta varieties and a potential coffee-growing area of around 10,40,100 hectares, which accounts for about 62.7% of Nagaland’s total geographical area of 16,57,900 hectares With only 11,187 hectares currently under cultivation.
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• He mentioned that this is just 1.08% of the total potential. The department has set a long-term target of expanding to 50,000 hectares by 2047, in line with India’s 100 years of independence, he added.
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• Ngullie stated that the department promotes coffee through three core principles: ecology, employment, and economy. Coffee is being promoted as an agro-forestry crop, which involves minimal undergrowth clearing and discourages slash-and-burn practices, he explained.
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• In terms of employment, he said that the coffee sector is creating opportunities across the value chain, from plantation and processing to branding and retail, offering meaningful livelihood options for the youth of Nagaland.
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• Speaking on the economic front, Ngullie noted that coffee is a high-value plantation crop with significant potential for foreign exchange. Promoting quality over quantity, he emphasised, will help Nagaland coffee command premium prices in both domestic and international markets.
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• Ngullie said, of the total area developed, only 8% (around 863 hectares) is currently in the harvesting stage, with a cumulative production of 195.40 metric tonnes of parchment and cherry coffee.
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• However, he expressed optimism that within the next two years, at least 50% of the plantations will reach the harvest stage, bringing a substantial increase in production. He also mentioned that the department has helped establish 16 coffee cafes, 12 washing stations, and seven roasteries, while also organising regular training sessions and exposure trips both within and outside India.
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• Highlighting the uniqueness of Nagaland’s coffee, Ngullie remarked that its flavour is influenced by the microclimates, biodiversity, and elevation of the region.
• To maintain quality, he said the department is investing in advanced processing infrastructure and machinery, aimed at preserving the unique characteristics of Nagaland coffee from farm to cup.
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• He emphasised that the department is committed to supporting start-ups and entrepreneurs by providing modern technologies and processing units that align with global standards and also encouraged educated youths to explore entrepreneurship in coffee-related businesses such as plantation management, roasting, marketing, experiential tourism, and retail.