Despite its vast agricultural potential, Nagaland currently contributes only about 0.1 percent to India’s soybean production, leading experts and policymakers to call for urgent expansion of cultivation and value addition in the state.
The concern was highlighted during the two-day Soybean Festival held at Angh Hall, Agri Expo, Chümoukedima, organised by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-AICRP on Soybean under the TSP and NEH components at the School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus.
Addressing the gathering, Sanuzo Nienu, Director of Agriculture, Government of Nagaland, described soybean (Glycine max) as a “crop of the future,” capable of strengthening nutritional security while boosting the state’s agricultural economy.
Speakers noted that around 38 metric tonnes of soybean are currently utilised in the state – a figure that reflects significant untapped potential when compared to leading soybean-producing states such as Telangana.
Highlighting its advantages, experts said soybean is rich in protein and oil, supports livestock and poultry industries, and naturally improves soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Beyond food products such as tofu, soy milk and flour, soybean also has applications in bio-diesel, cosmetics and industrial manufacturing.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof L Tongpang Longkumer of the Department of Agronomy emphasised the need to adopt improved varieties suited to Nagaland’s agro-climatic conditions, while also developing processing infrastructure and market linkages.
Speakers stressed that with better seed varieties, technical training and value addition units within the state, soybean cultivation could significantly enhance farmer income and reduce dependency on external markets.
An exhibition stall showcasing soybean varieties and technologies was inaugurated as part of the festival, alongside technical sessions aimed at equipping farmers with updated cultivation practices.
The festival concluded with a renewed call for scaling up soybean production in Nagaland, positioning the crop as a strategic avenue for agricultural diversification and economic growth.
