Kohima: The Entrepreneurs Associates started a charity cabbage sales drive in Kohima on July 16. The effort aims to sell 1 lakh kilograms of cabbage grown in the Phek District. Organizers moved 30,000 kilograms during the first phase at Old NST. Market disruptions in Manipur left thousands of cabbages without buyers. Local leaders fear 300 to 400 metric tonnes of produce might rot in the fields.
Nagaland Horticulture Minister Salhoutuonuo Kruse launched the initiative. She contacted CEO Neichute Doulo after realizing farmers needed immediate help. Officials from the horticulture department joined her at the site. Kruse urged the public to buy local. She stated, "We must support and respect our local farmers who have worked hard to grow them despite harsh and unfavourable weather conditions."
Doulo believes this effort can prevent 25 to 30 percent of total crop losses. He noted that agricultural success requires moving beyond subsistence farming toward commercial trade. The state government plans to build a warehouse with solar cold storage and kiosks along NH 29 to improve long-term market access. The organization has a history with Phek farmers dating to 2003. They previously provided loans and facilitated inter-district trade in 2006 after Mokokchung businesses stopped importing cabbage from Assam.
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