Mokokchung has considerable untapped potential in coffee cultivation, agarwood, renewable energy and water resources, but turning these opportunities into economic benefits will require better infrastructure, local investment and policy support, Er T Imlisunep Ao, Principal, ITI Mokokchung, said during a panel discussion organised by the Naga People’s Front (NPF) Youth Wing, Mokokchung Division, on November 9.
Speaking on “Rebuilding Mokokchung: Infrastructure and Economic Opportunities” under the theme “Vision Mokokchung”, he outlined several areas where the district could generate revenue, create employment and reduce its dependence on outside resources.
On water resources, he said Mokokchung was fortunate to have several sources, including Tichapami and the Dikhu River, while its terrain also offered opportunities for water storage. However, he questioned why the district had not been able to bring water from these sources to meet its requirements.
He described the Ring Road project as an important development initiative that could improve connectivity and open up new areas for growth. The project, being undertaken under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) loan, has been discussed for years and is now under construction.
According to him, the proposed road will extend from Tzüsapang to Khensa, CTC Junction and Ungma Gate before connecting to National Highway 202. He said he had been informed that the project was expected to be completed by December, adding that development would follow once connectivity improved.
He also highlighted the importance of the Foothill Road, which passes through Tuli and the fertile areas of Tzürangkong. He said the road could provide a direct link to the Tuli railhead and strengthen trade connections with Jorhat, Golaghat and Mariani in Assam, creating better opportunities for agricultural trade and other economic activities.
On healthcare infrastructure, Er Imlisunep called for an upgrade of Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH), pointing to the shortage of basic medical equipment and specialised facilities in Mokokchung.
He said the district lacked adequate diagnostic facilities, including proper X-ray and CT scan services, and did not have a trauma-centre. Comparing the situation with Dimapur, where a 300-bedded trauma centre hospital was under construction, he said Mokokchung’s healthcare needs required serious attention.
“If we do not make Mokokchung ourselves without donation, who will make it then?” he questioned, stressing that the district could not continue depending entirely on the government. He urged political parties to take healthcare infrastructure and human capital security seriously.
On electricity, he said Mokokchung required around 25 MW of power and pointed to the considerable expenditure incurred on electricity. He proposed exploring solar farms in Tuli and Tzürangkong, saying local renewable energy generation could help reduce electricity expenditure.
Agriculture, particularly coffee cultivation, was another area he identified as having considerable economic potential. He said Mokokchung had been selling around 40 tonnes of coffee annually and referred to the district’s geographical area of approximately 1,600 square kilometres.
He cited the potential of expanding coffee cultivation, stating that 1,000 coffee saplings could generate around Rs 1 lakh in revenue. He further suggested that cultivating four lakh coffee plants could potentially generate Rs 100 crore annually, while using only around 1.5 per cent of the district’s land.
He also pointed out that coffee had been identified as Mokokchung’s product under the Centre’s One District One Product initiative and said political parties should take up the issue and push for policies that would help expand production and benefit local farmers.
Skill development was another concern raised during the discussion. He said Mokokchung needed more skilling centres, observing that the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in the district currently offered training in only four trades.
Citing the construction of 259 houses in Mokokchung during 2025, he recalled that most of the workers engaged in the construction were non-locals and people from outside the district. He said this highlighted the need for better skill development so that local people could also take advantage of employment opportunities available within their own district.
He further identified agarwood as another potential source of income and employment. Referring to departmental data, he said Mokokchung had around 30,000 agarwood plantations and called for policies to establish distillation facilities in Nagaland to ensure that more economic value could be generated locally.
He urged political parties to give greater attention to these sectors and work towards converting the district’s available resources into sustainable economic opportunities.
The panel discussion was organised by the NPF Youth Wing, Mokokchung Division, under the theme “Vision Mokokchung” at the Division Office.
Dr Imlirenla calls for cultural preservation and stronger community connections
Meanwhile, speaking on “Reconnecting Mokokchung: Society, Culture and Community”, Dr Imlirenla Walling expressed concern over the growing individualistic nature of society amid rapid advancements in science and technology.
She questioned whether Mokokchung was creating the kind of environment and providing the infrastructure that young people wanted, asking whether the district was becoming a place where they would want to return and live.
She also called for society to recognise different fields as legitimate professions, including political work, beauty pageants and music, rather than treating them merely as activities or forms of entertainment.
On cultural preservation, Dr Walling said culture was not static but continued to change and evolve with time. She stressed that while important aspects of identity, including traditional attire and language, must be preserved, society should also be willing to move away from practices that no longer benefited it.
She called for cultural preservation that was sustainable and suited to changing times, while maintaining the values and identity of the community.
Dr Walling further emphasized the need for Mokokchung to reconnect across generations, communities and with the environment. She observed that environmental responsibility could not be limited to occasional cleanliness drives, stressing that a one-day cleanliness campaign was not enough to bring lasting change.
The panel discussion was held under the theme “Vision Mokokchung” at the NPF Youth Wing Mokokchung Division Office.