Kohima: A new citronella distillery started operations in the Watiyongpang area of Tuli, Mokokchung, on August 29. The Community Educational Centre Society (CECS) built the facility with backing from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). The goal is to turn local citronella crops into finished products to grow farmer income.
Pauliankap Bulte, the General Manager and OIC of the NABARD Nagaland Regional Office, led the inauguration. He stood alongside CECS Director Subonenba Longkumer and NABARD District Development Manager Poji. The project covers the full chain from harvesting to processing. It offers a way to keep production local.
Longkumer noted the project marks a first for the state. He said, "The promotion of citronella represented a first-of-its-kind opportunity in Nagaland and had considerable potential for farmers." He pushed for a complete value chain to help farmers move past basic agriculture.
Poji pointed out that aromatic plants like lemongrass and citronella are simple to grow and offer solid returns. He urged the farmers to keep at it and recruit their neighbors. Bulte agreed, telling the crowd to grow the operation and spread the knowledge to other communities. Local beneficiaries signaled they are ready to stay the course, viewing the site as a reliable path to a paycheck. The partnership plans to push sustainable business models throughout the region.
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