Kohima: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday inaugurated the Incubation Centre for Food Processing at the State Industrial Area, Toluvi, Dimapur, during a programme organised by the Department of Industries & Commerce.
The Chief Minister also virtually inaugurated three projects under the department: the Incubation Centre for Entrepreneurs and Infrastructure Development at the Industrial Growth Centre, Ganeshnagar, Chumoukedima; the Incubation Centre for Food Processing at Tuensang; and the Modern Aggregation Centre at Longnak, Mokokchung. The projects were constructed under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) V (2024–25) and PM Gati Shakti schemes.
Addressing the gathering, Rio stressed the importance of strengthening the agriculture and allied sectors, noting that nearly 70 per cent of Nagaland’s population depended on farming for their livelihood.
He said small-scale industries and food processing units offered some of the most viable avenues for industrial development in the state. Referring to the newly inaugurated facilities, he said such initiatives would create employment opportunities, encourage entrepreneurship and reduce dependence on imported goods.
Observing that Nagaland remained largely a consumer state, with most commodities and products sourced from outside, Rio expressed confidence that food processing and incubation centres would help the state gradually become more self-reliant through local production and value-added products.
The Chief Minister said the SASCI scheme, funded by the Government of India, was aimed at strengthening infrastructure and supporting economic development. According to him, the projects inaugurated under the scheme would empower local entrepreneurs, create market linkages and facilitate the processing of local produce into marketable products.
Emphasising the need for proper management of the facilities, Rio called for maintaining quality standards, ensuring regular upkeep and making effective use of the infrastructure for the benefit of farmers and producers. He added that reducing the role of intermediaries would help ensure greater benefits reached farmers directly.
Rio also urged young people to take advantage of opportunities available through such facilities and government initiatives, including the Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Scheme. He noted that despite high unemployment among educated youth, participation in job fairs remained low, with only a small number securing employment.
Calling for a change in mindset, he encouraged youth to look beyond government jobs and explore opportunities in self-employment, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and the private sector. He expressed confidence in the ability of Naga youth to compete and succeed in an increasingly competitive global environment.
Despite financial constraints faced by the state, Rio assured that similar processing and incubation facilities would be established in other districts in the future. He said the government remained committed to expanding such infrastructure to promote inclusive economic development across Nagaland.
The Chief Minister called on all stakeholders to work together and make optimal use of the state’s resources by combining traditional wisdom with youthful energy. He urged citizens to contribute towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and the goal of a developed India.
Advisor for SCERT and Food Processing, Achumbemo Kikon, commended the Department of Industries & Commerce for completing the expansion project. Highlighting the department’s roadmap, he outlined the “Six P’s” vision for the food processing sector — Production, Processing, Preservation, Packaging, Pricing and Patenting.
Kikon said the department would pursue these priorities in mission mode to strengthen the food processing ecosystem and enhance value addition across the state. He added that the sector had significant potential to generate employment, improve farmers’ incomes and promote sustainable economic growth.
Advisor for Industries & Commerce, Hekani Jakhalu, said the department envisaged replicating the food processing model across all districts, with facilities tailored to each district’s resources, agricultural strengths and local produce.
She said the objective was not merely to install machinery but to establish functional food processing ecosystems that would improve farmers’ incomes, generate employment, create profitable enterprises and strengthen local economies.
Jakhalu described food processing as a complete value chain linking farms, processing units and markets. She said the department was focused on creating a sustainable ecosystem that would enable local produce to be processed, packaged and marketed effectively.
Drawing lessons from past experiences, she observed that infrastructure alone could not guarantee industrial success. Sustainable growth, she said, required a reliable supply of raw materials, a trained workforce, adequate working capital, proper packaging and branding, and strong market linkages connecting producers to buyers and retailers.
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She expressed confidence that coordinated efforts by the government, farming communities, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders could make the food processing sector a key driver of economic development, employment generation and rural prosperity in Nagaland.
Earlier, Secretary of Industries & Commerce, Kumar Ramnikant, delivered the welcome address, while Director of Industries & Commerce, P. Tokugha Sema, chaired the programme.
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