Kohima: The fifth Women Entrepreneurs Network Nagaland (WENN) Bazaar opened October 15 at Agri Expo in Chümoukedima. A total of 167 women-led enterprises from all 17 Nagaland districts are participating under the theme One Nagaland, One Marketplace. The event marks significant growth, ballooning from just 20 stalls in its early days to the current scale.
Mhathung Yanthan, MLA and Advisor for Agriculture, served as the guest of honor. He pushed for a shift away from the traditional reliance on government jobs. He told the crowd: "For too long, we have been looking at employment through the lens of government jobs."
Yanthan highlighted the state’s raw potential. He cited Naga King chilli, cucumber, pineapple, kiwi, banana, ginger, millets, bamboo, honey, and traditional food products as prime opportunities for market expansion. He urged participants to move beyond raw sales and focus on processing, packaging, branding, and marketing to increase value.
The three-day event includes food, fresh produce, handicrafts, handlooms, and clothing, plus a children’s zone. Organizers expect the bazaar to generate over 1,000 employment opportunities. Attendees can also participate in ten workshops covering financial management, product photography, and branding.
The government plans to upgrade the Agri Expo site soon. The proposed project includes an international pavilion, new exhibition spaces, and permanent stalls. Officials are awaiting federal sanction, with work potentially beginning next year. Yanthan urged entrepreneurs to start small and stay focused on quality.
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