MARCOFED signs MoU with ERDE Agro to strengthen Nagaland’s agriculture, spices and horticulture ecosystem.
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DIMAPUR — A workshop on the transformation of Nagaland’s agriculture, horticulture and spices ecosystem, along with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MARCOFED and ERDE Agro Ecosystem Pvt. Ltd., was held at Naithu Resort, Chümoukedima, on Monday.
Chairman of MARCOFED, Dr. M Chuba Ao welcomed the signing of the MoU with ERDE Agro, Ecosystem Pvt. Ltd, describing the company as a prestigious and advanced private firm in the agriculture sector.
Highlighting MARCOFED’s journey since its establishment in 1968 under the Department of Cooperation, he said that the corporation had faced severe financial and operational challenges over the past two decades, including difficulties in paying staff salaries and the closure of many cooperative societies.
He stressed the need for MARCOFED to explore public-private partnership models instead of depending entirely on government support.
Chuba said the collaboration with ERDE Agro, Ecosystem Pvt. Ltd, along with support from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) institutes, would help strengthen production, market linkage, and agricultural development in Nagaland.
He further noted that Nagaland has strong potential in natural and organic farming, and called for scientific support in identifying suitable crops for different regions of the state.
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Expressing hope for long-term growth, he said agriculture development requires patience and planning, adding that MARCOFED and its partners should work together with at least a 10-year vision to achieve sustainable progress in the sector.
Promoter/Director of ERDE Agro, Ecosystem Pvt. Ltd., Sukrut Mehta, the special guest, said that the company aims to provide end-to-end support to farmers and FPOs by ensuring market access, supply chain support, infrastructure development, and value addition.
He said the company focuses on technology-driven agriculture solutions and works closely with local communities to understand their systems, culture, and market potential before implementation.
Mehta added that ERDE Agro follows a transparent revenue-sharing model to build trust among farmers, FPOs, and buyers.
Explaining the company’s three-phase approach, he said the first phase focuses on establishing market linkages and ensuring consistent quality supply, the second on branding and value-added products, and the third on agro-processing and expanding the supply chain.
He highlighted the importance of sorting, grading, and identifying multiple buyers for agricultural produce to maximise farmer income.
He also stressed the need for infrastructure such as refrigerated transport, processing units, and resource centres to support farmers.
He further urged FPOs in Nagaland to register with Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC) to avail startup support and government schemes, while emphasising that the partnership with MARCOFED would focus on gradual and sustainable growth over the coming quarters.
Highlighting the company’s ecosystem model, Promoter/Director of ERDE Agro Ecosystem Pvt. Ltd., Sanjiv Masalia said the company focuses on ensuring supply security through digital platforms, GI mapping, yield estimation, value addition, and assured market linkages for farmers.
He said the company aims to support contract farming, agro-processing, and market access by integrating the entire agricultural value chain.
Stressing the importance of value addition, Masalia noted that international buyers prefer primary processed products rather than raw produce.
He said the proposed partnership with MARCOFED would follow a three-year phased approach, beginning with procurement planning and farmer support, followed by infrastructure development, processing units, and value-added production.
Highlighting the importance of farmer confidence, he said assured buyback and minimum support price mechanisms are necessary to protect farmers from market fluctuations.
Masalia further said the company plans to work with MARCOFED on farmer mobilisation, GI mapping, digital traceability, certification programmes, and cooperative strengthening.
He maintained that the partnership would create a win-win situation for farmers, cooperatives, and commercial buyers through improved market access, technical support, and sustainable revenue generation.
The ERDE Agro Ecosystem Pvt. is a next generation agriculture ecosystem company, integrating technology, services and Partnerships. They provide services to farmers, FPO’s, FPC’s and corporate buyers with end to end solutions across the agri-value chain.