Dimapur, Jun 8 (PTI) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday inaugurated four incubation and food processing centres across the state under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2024–25, aimed at strengthening market linkages for farmers and entrepreneurs while creating employment opportunities for the youth.
After inaugurating the Food Processing Centre at the State Industrial Area, Toluvi, Dimapur, Rio virtually launched three other projects — the Incubation Centre for Entrepreneurs and Infrastructure Development at the Industrial Growth Centre, Ganeshnagar under Chümoukedima, the Incubation Centre for Food Processing at Tuensang, and the Modern Aggregation Centre at Longnak in Mokokchung.
Addressing the gathering, Rio said small-scale industries, particularly food processing, offer the most viable path for Nagaland’s economic growth.
He said the incubation units are aligned with the Government of India’s vision of building a “Viksit Bharat” and can serve as catalysts for rural entrepreneurship and value addition.
Rio noted that there is strong demand for such initiatives from both farmers and the state government.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s target of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047, he stressed the need for collective efforts to ensure Nagaland is not left behind in the country’s growth trajectory.
He said the benefits of the centres would directly reach farmers once the units become fully operational, and added that the government plans to replicate the model across all districts.
Such expansion, he said, would enable each region to identify and process crops best suited to its local conditions, thereby enhancing productivity and income generation.
Expressing confidence in the state’s youth, Rio said Nagaland possesses abundant talent and rich natural resources. He urged young entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities created through the new facilities and contribute to sustainable economic growth by combining traditional knowledge with innovation.
MLA and Advisor for Industries and Commerce Hekani Jakhalu described the four centres as pilot projects developed after extensive study and planning based on local potential.
She said the department aims to replicate the model across the state and ensure that every district has an independent processing centre by 2028.
Emphasising the importance of value addition, Jakhalu said food processing is not merely about installing machinery but about creating an integrated value chain linking farms, factories and markets.
She described the sector as a critical bridge between agriculture and manufacturing.
Advisor for SCERT and Food Processing Achumbemo Kikon said the department would be guided by six key pillars — Production, Processing, Preservation, Packaging, Pricing and Patenting — to advance the sector in mission mode.
He stressed that processing infrastructure would be effective only if supported by adequate production and called for cooperation from farmers, villages and stakeholders to strengthen the state’s economy.
Among those present were Minister for Rural Development Metsübo Jamir, Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Zhaleo Rio, Advisor for Agriculture Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor for Science and Technology Kuzholuzo Nienu, Advisor for Sericulture and Minority Affairs Imkong L. Imchen, and MLA Dr Sukhato A. Sema. PTI NBS NBS RG
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