Photo Courtesy: nenow
Kohima: Nagaland Governor Nand Kishore Yadav cut the ribbon on the third Made in Nagaland Centre on Tuesday. The facility sits at the YouthNet office in Chumoukedima. It provides a storefront for local entrepreneurs to hawk their goods. The project aims to link regional skills, crops, and textiles to bigger markets. Yadav praised the work. He believes these centers offer a path to steady livelihoods for rural communities and small businesses.
The project started in 2018 with a single store in Kohima. Back then, it supported 81 entrepreneurs. Today, the network represents around 350 entrepreneurs selling roughly 600 unique items from across the state. Yadav urged young people to build their own companies instead of hunting for government jobs. He said, "The state's indigenous crafts, textiles, agricultural products, food traditions and artistic expressions could generate sustainable livelihoods with better market access."
YouthNet founder Hekani Jakhalu noted that her organization launched in 2006. She wants to change how local youth view work. The goal is to move away from government dependency. The Chumoukedima site marks the third physical location for the initiative. Moving forward, the Governor wants to see more cooperation between banks, state agencies, and private groups to help these small shops grow.
Updated at 9th September 2026 at 2:00pm
Governor Yadav stressed that the program must move beyond retail. He pushed for standardized packaging, quality control, and digital marketing to help local goods compete on a national scale. He also noted that the Chumoukedima location, situated at the 5th Mile, serves as a bridge between rural producers and urban consumers.
Hekani Jakhalu added that the expansion relies on specific support systems, including the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Scheme, which provides entrepreneurs with better access to finance. Advisor to the Chief Minister, Abu Metha, also appeared at the event to highlight that the State Assembly recently passed a resolution calling for the withdrawal of the Protected Area Permit (PAP) regime to further open the state to tourism and the creative economy.
The event drew a crowd of state officials, including advisor Zhaleo Rio, advisor Wangpang Konyak, and MLA Benei M. Lamthiu. Following the ribbon cutting, the Governor toured the adjacent training institute.
Updated at 9th September 2026 at 5:46pm
Yadav pushed for higher standards beyond simple retail. He demanded better quality control, standardized packaging, and aggressive digital marketing to help local goods compete on a national stage. He emphasized that the label must signal authenticity and trust, noting that the Chumoukedima site at 5th Mile functions as a vital link between traditional knowledge and modern consumer demands.
Jakhalu credited the RAMP scheme for helping entrepreneurs secure necessary financing for branding and expansion. Advisor to the Chief Minister Abu Metha announced that the State Assembly recently passed a resolution demanding the removal of the Protected Area Permit regime, a move aimed at opening the state to wider tourism and business growth. The event, which included a welcome address by YouthNet director Nuneseno Chase, also drew advisors Zhaleo Rio and Wangpang Konyak along with MLA Benei M. Lamthiu.
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