Dimapur: Lok Sabha MP S. Supongmeren Jamir emphasized the untapped potential of coffee cultivation in Nagaland, calling it a promising opportunity for sustainable development. Speaking as the guest of honour at the Nagaland International Coffee Seminar, held on October 1-2, 2024, at Hotel Acacia in Dimapur, Jamir shared personal insights from his decades-long association with coffee, while highlighting the evolving opportunities for local growers.
Recalling his involvement in coffee cultivation 40 years ago, Jamir explained that his family and close associates were among the early growers encouraged by the Coffee Board of India to plant coffee in Nagaland. “The Coffee Board of India encouraged us to plant coffee back then,” he said. However, early efforts faced several challenges, including the manual nature of coffee processing and a lack of technological support. “We used to peel the beans by hand, dry the skin and seeds separately, and then pack them in small plastic bags,” Jamir recounted, highlighting the difficulties faced by small growers.
Another major hurdle was the challenge of marketing their products outside Nagaland. Jamir described how they had to travel to Southern India, specifically Kerala and Madras, in an attempt to sell their coffee to larger companies. “The companies had high demands, and small growers from Nagaland couldn’t meet them. Without a certain quantity to supply, they wouldn’t buy from us,” he said, noting that this led to significant financial losses and discouraged many farmers. “At that time, there was no one to solve the problem,” he added.
Despite these initial setbacks, Jamir expressed optimism about the current state of coffee cultivation in Nagaland, citing improved technical and financial support available to local growers. He credited organizations like the Business Association of Nagas (BAN) and the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) for addressing long-standing issues of demand and supply that had once plagued small coffee farmers. “Now we have a solution,” Jamir affirmed. “This time, we don’t want to fail.”
According to Jamir, advancements in technology and increased institutional support have paved the way for Nagaland’s coffee industry to thrive. He noted that Nagaland coffee has become a recognized brand, known for producing high-quality beans. “I see many districts coming forward to plant coffee again. This will be the second attempt from our state,” he remarked, signaling the potential revival of the coffee sector in Nagaland.
The two-day seminar, themed “Beyond the Brew: Future Perspectives on Sustainable Coffee,” brought together local and international stakeholders, including farmers, entrepreneurs, and experts, to discuss the potential of coffee as a driver of sustainable development in Nagaland.
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