Kohima: Dr. Sentitula, Director of Tourism and Industries for the North Eastern Council, toured Nagaland on June 22 and 23. She inspected the Ghotovi and Tuophema clusters to assess potential investments for the regional Mission Coffee initiative. The project aims to build an integrated supply chain to turn local crops into premium, single-origin coffee.
The official met with farmers and village leaders in the Ghotovi cluster. She discussed moving from basic farming to commercial coffee production. The goal is to boost household income and modernize local agriculture. Dr. Sentitula highlighted the strength of local involvement during these sessions.
"The Ghotovi Cluster represents a transformative opportunity for Nagaland's coffee sector. The strong community participation, combined with scientific cultivation practices and modern processing infrastructure, has the potential to establish this region as a producer of premium single-origin coffee while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for farming communities," Dr. Sentitula said.
Work continued in the Tuophema cluster. Here, farmers grow coffee alongside avocado and black pepper to build climate resilience. Dr. Sentitula checked proposed sites for new washing stations and a hi-tech nursery for coffee seedlings. She also toured extensive new plantations in Gariphema Bawe, Tsiemekhuma, and Chiechama villages. These sites hold thousands of coffee plants.
The Department of Land Resources must follow strict rules before getting funds. Officials require signed agreements and dedicated bank accounts for all participating communities. Dr. Sentitula ordered the team to monitor progress closely. She wants to ensure all technical and financial guidelines are met.
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