Coffee a boon for the state: Abhijit Sinha

October 2, 2021 57 Views No Comment

Correspondent KOHIMA, OCT 2 (NPN) : Asserting that coffee has become a boon for the state, the principal secretary home, Abhijit Sinha, Friday said that the farmers must, therefore, be encouraged so the level of production would be immensely enhanced.

Speaking at the International Coffee Day celebration organised at the directorate of land resources here Friday, the principal secretary said he was delighted to witness drastic improvement in coffee growing and production since the revival of coffee in 2015.

He exuded confidence that with the current trend in growing coffee, the vision 2030 would be achieved. Sinha urged the land resources department (LRD) to find all ways and means to help the farmers and ensure that Naga coffee reached every household in the state and beyond.

Referring to the feedback received from the tourists on Naga Coffee, Sinha said Naga Coffee has already etched its brand as one of the best in the world. He said the industry was generating employment opportunities and more production in demand. He said that the department must, therefore, put all efforts to increase the production. In his keynote address, land resources department (LRD) director Renben Lotha said coffee growing began in 1982, but due to some glitches it could not take off. However, Lotha said that its revival in 2015 proved well and it reached from field to cup by 2016, which he described as “a laudable achievement.”

Lotha said an individual could earn Rs. 3.5 lakh from Arabica Coffee and Rs. 2.15 lakh from Robusta coffee annually. He said that coffee, an economic value labour intensive, promoted sustainable employment. Lotha therefore said the department should engage the farmers positively.

The director also informed that department intended to expand area coverage towards vision 2030 to 50,000 Ha, provide post-harvest support to the coffee farmers so as to enable them to fetch better prices and compete with international market. Coffee Board of India junior liaison officer Uday Pandit, in his brief address, appreciated the department for the intensive effort in promoting Naga coffee in the state. He and said the board was doing the best it could to technically support the farmers in Nagaland.

The programme was chaired by commissioner and secretary LRD, Vikeyie Kenya, while joint director Vanchamo Ngullie proposed vote of thanks.

A host of HoDs, AHoDs from different departments, district administration, commissioner secretary NLA, commissioner and secretary to governor, district administration officials and others attended the programme.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/coffee-a-boon-for-the-state-abhijit-sinha/241489.html