Nagaland bets on coffee as its unique selling point
Nagaland bets on coffee as its unique selling point
Recognising it as a key product contributing to the state's identity, the government of Nagaland has adopted coffee as its unique selling point (USP), which has been submitted to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region
A screenshot of coffee produces (Source: From AAR of the
department of Land Resources)
KOHIMA — Recognising it as
a key product contributing to the state's identity, the government of Nagaland
has adopted coffee as its unique selling point (USP), which has been submitted
to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
This was disclosed in the department of Land Resources'
annual administrative report for 2024-25.
In view of this, the department has designed a logo for the
Coffee USP to be integrated with state stationery for branding and visibility,
thereby fostering better engagement with stakeholders, including investors,
tourists, and citizens.
Logo for the Coffee USP
It stated that Nagaland is increasingly turning to coffee
cultivation to address multiple developmental and environmental challenges. It
highlighted that Jhum (slash-and-burn) agriculture is widely
practised in the state, involving the clearing of small plots of land by fire
and allowing them to regenerate after cultivation.
While acknowledging coffee’s potential to address Jhum practices
in the state, the department has focused on promoting coffee in collaboration
with the Coffee Board.
The department of Land Resources further claimed that
Nagaland has emerged as the leading coffee-producing state in the Northeast,
with a significant number of young entrepreneurs thriving in the coffee sector.
It also noted that the state's coffee production is gaining
attention due to its unique growing conditions, including a cool climate,
fertile soil, and high altitudes, which result in high-quality coffee beans.
Coffee development
With a growing demand for coffee plantations among farmers
across the state, the department has been promoting coffee development under
CSS and State Schemes. As of 2024, an area of 10,748 hectares has been brought
under coffee cultivation through various schemes such as PMKSY-WDC, NABARD RIDF,
and the State Plan.
It stated that during the current financial year, the
department supported the development of 438 hectares of coffee plantations
across the state under a state scheme, including the RIDF–XXVIII project
titled ‘Promoting Sustainable Livelihood through Coffee Plantation in
Nagaland.’
District-wise production of coffee during 2022-23 & 2023-24
Weight in metric tonne (MT)
Sl. No.
District
Parchment
(2022-23)
Dry cherry
(2023-24)
Parchment
(2023-24)
1
Chumoukedima
0.0975
1.0520
-
2
Niuland
0.8370
3.8020
-
3
Peren
0.1550
0.54534
4
Kohima
6.5000
0.7740
11.22300
5
Tseminyu
0.4290
1.46000
6
Wokha
0.3890
0.9149
4.19020
7
Zunheboto
3.1700
3.1742
4.53700
8
Mokokchung
11.7960
0.5125
6.01050
9
Longleng
0
1.0815
0.46900
10
Mon
2.9088
3.2550
0.07000
11
Tuensang
0.3000
0.8300
1.21400
12
Shamator
0.7200
0.36000
13
Noklak
0.1467
0.0500
1.43500
14
Kiphire
0.7530
0.64500
15
Phek
0.75000
Total
28.2020
15.4461
32.90904
Source: Department of Land Resources
Value addition on coffee
Highlighting the importance of post-harvest processing as
the most crucial stage of coffee development, the report stated that manual
processing of freshly harvested cherries degrades coffee quality.
The department informed that out of approximately 10,748
hectares of coffee plantations developed in the state, about 1,000 hectares
have already attained maturity. This necessitates mechanisation for
post-harvest processing to produce high-quality coffee.
A coffee washing station is a processing unit where coffee
cherries undergo washing, fermentation, pulping, and drying to produce
high-quality coffee beans.
During the current financial year, the department
installed and operationalised coffee washing stations in 10 coffee-growing
clusters across nine districts with funding support from the NEC project
titled ‘Value Addition on Coffee/Procurement of Roasting Machines and
Training of Entrepreneurs.’
Research & Adaptation Station
Altitude plays a crucial role in coffee production, with
higher elevations (above 1,500m MSL) yielding superior flavours but facing
frost-related challenges. In Nagaland, plantations above this altitude have
suffered winter damage, leading to stunted growth or plant loss.
To address this, the department of Land Resources has
established a Coffee Research & Adaptation Station at Touphema in Kohima to
test and adapt coffee varieties for survival beyond 1,500m MSL. This initiative
aims to expand high-altitude coffee cultivation while ensuring superior quality
production.
