MARCOFED launches the NagaBazaar App in Nagaland to promote quick-commerce, local products, farmers and cooperative marketing across the state.
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DIMAPUR — The Nagaland State Co-operative Marketing & Consumers' Federation Ltd. (MARCOFED) on Tuesday officially launched the NagaBazaar App, the state's home-grown quick-commerce and digital retail platform, aimed at providing fast, reliable and affordable delivery of groceries and daily essentials while creating sustainable market opportunities for local producers, farmers, cooperatives and entrepreneurs.
The NagaBazaar app is available for download on both Android and iOS platforms. Customers can also place orders through the official website, www.nagabazaar.com, using any web browser.
Addressing a press conference at the MARCOFED office in Dimapur, MARCOFED Chairman M Chuba Ao said the platform will initially operate in Dimapur and Chümoukedima before gradually expanding to other districts across Nagaland.
He said NagaBazaar was first inaugurated by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Republic Day this year, but its full-scale launch was delayed to complete the remaining technical and digital infrastructure.
Chuba noted that MARCOFED was originally established to procure products from cooperative societies and provide marketing channels for their produce. While the federation's traditional marketing system had served the state effectively for many years, he said increasing competition from large retail chains, coupled with a shortage of skilled manpower and limited marketing networks, led to the decline of its conventional operations.
To adapt to changing market trends, he said MARCOFED has shifted its focus to e-commerce through NagaBazaar, enabling consumers to purchase household essentials online while opening new marketing avenues for locally produced goods.
MARCOFED Managing Director R Bendang Ao said the federation, established in 1968, had previously operated a rice mill and fair price shops across Nagaland before its activities declined due to inadequate modern infrastructure and growing competition.
He said the launch of NagaBazaar marks MARCOFED's revival with a renewed commitment to supporting cooperative societies, farmers and local entrepreneurs. Besides supplying groceries and essential commodities, the platform aims to provide market linkages for marginal farmers and promote agricultural produce, handicrafts and other indigenous products to wider markets.
MARCOFED Board Director for Dimapur and Chümoukedima, Bendangchuba, said NagaBazaar seeks to connect producers from all districts by creating an integrated marketing network through MARCOFED's district offices and board members.
He added that the platform will facilitate the movement of local products within the state while working towards developing import and export markets for Naga products.
Highlighting MARCOFED's long-term agricultural strategy, the managing director said the federation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ERDE Agroecosystem Private Limited to promote contract farming and strengthen agricultural value chains in Nagaland.
Under the partnership, ERDE Agroecosystem will procure finished products from the state, establish food processing facilities, and provide farmers with financial assistance, technical support and certified seeds.
The initiative will initially focus on cassava, ginger and turmeric, with plans to expand to black pepper, areca nut, rubber and agarwood.
Bendang said assured buy-back arrangements and market linkages under the partnership are expected to address long-standing marketing challenges faced by farmers while generating employment opportunities and encouraging cooperative farming across the state.