Photo Courtesy: morungexpress
Kohima: Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio inaugurated four new incubation and food processing facilities across Nagaland on June 8. Funded by the central Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme, these centers aim to shift the region away from a consumerist model toward a self-sustaining, production-based economy.
The new facilities include the Incubation Centre for Food Processing in Toluvi, the Incubation Centre for Entrepreneurs and Infrastructure Development in Ganesh Nagar, the Incubation Centre for Food Processing in Tuensang, and the Modern Aggregation Centre in Longnak. The Toluvi site serves as the primary hub, where the Chief Minister remotely opened the other three locations.
These plants follow a farm-to-market model designed to reduce crop waste. The Ganesh Nagar facility is expected to process 300 metric tons of local mustard annually, while the Toluvi unit features a dehydration system capable of processing 750 metric tons of raw ginger per year. Officials noted these sites will handle various seasonal crops, including king chili and turmeric.
During the launch, Rio emphasized that infrastructure alone cannot ensure success without strong agricultural support. He stated, “Without farmers, these units are nothing— it is useless,” while urging residents to move away from a reliance on government subsidies. He stressed that economic independence is essential for Naga identity and pride.
The Chief Minister also addressed the state's unemployment challenges, noting that over 72,000 people are registered with the local employment exchange. He encouraged youth to prioritize practical skills over academic degrees, citing a recent job fair where only a fraction of registered candidates pursued available positions.
To manage the project's expansion, the government has established a new Food Processing Department. Advisor Achumbemo Kikon plans to guide the department's growth through a six-part strategy focusing on production, processing, preservation, packaging, pricing, and patenting, with the goal of replicating this model in every district by 2028.
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