Kohima: Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio officially launched the Chief Minister’s Fellowship Programme, Nagaland, and a research project with the North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. The ceremony took place Thursday at the CMRC Conference Hall in Kohima. These initiatives aim to map out a resilient future for the state by targeting agriculture, tourism, music, and the arts.
IDAN and NEDFi are driving the joint venture. The research, titled Strategic Interventions for Endogenous Development through Export Promotion of Niche Agricultural Products, Advancement in the Creative Economy, and Diversification of Investment in Nagaland, covers all 17 districts. It includes data from nearly 300 villages and over 8,000 stakeholder inputs. The study identified clear strengths in textiles and human capital, while exposing gaps in market linkages and value addition.
Eighteen fellows will join the program. They will gain mentorship across government departments, flagship projects, and the Hornbill Festival. Rio wants real results. He told the cohort: "The programme must extend beyond routine assignments and certificates."
The state budget for 2025-26 set aside Rs 2.50 crore for this fellowship. Officials want to build an investment-ready economy that links public money with private business. Under Secretary I Changsang chaired the event, while Additional Secretary Vineet Kumar closed with remarks thanking the contributors.
Updated at 25th September 2026 at 10:01am
Abu Metha, chairman of IDAN, traced the fellowship's roots back to his 2014 participation in the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Programme. He pushed for the model after seeing how those global networks sharpen governance and policy skills. The 18 fellows snagged their spots after surviving a rigorous open application and interview grind.
The research project reaches beyond standard economic metrics. It folds in music, sports, and handicrafts as key economic drivers, drawing interest from outside states and international partners. Metha emphasized the data needs to spark hard policy action rather than just sitting on a shelf. The fellows will get access to NGOs and international missions, plus mentorship from high-level bureaucrats and technocrats.
Dr. Rio expanded on his vision for the creative economy, noting that Nagaland needs to stop viewing local talent through a purely cultural lens. He wants the state to treat its artists, designers, and young innovators as heavy hitters in tech, employment, and global trade.
Updated at 25th September 2026 at 2:00pm
The research project, which functions as a NEDFi-TEDF joint venture, includes a focus on horticulture alongside the previously identified sectors. It pulls data from academics and development practitioners to sit alongside the grassroots feedback. Officials say the goal is to use these findings to build specific policy and strategic action rather than letting the report gather dust on a shelf.
Dr. Rio pushed for a shift in how the state treats its creative class. He wants the government to stop viewing talent through the limited lens of culture and entertainment. Instead, he expects artists, designers, and innovators to operate as drivers for technology, livelihoods, and broader economic branding. He noted that culture should act as a concrete bridge between local identity and the global market.
The fellowship program, first proposed in 2024, mandates that the 18 participants look beyond internal government work. They will receive exposure to NGOs, international missions, and MSME operations. Metha added that the fellows are expected to share their knowledge across the cohort, stating, “knowledge and experience gained by one should be knowledge and experience gained by all.”
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