NABARD-backed initiative seeks to bring cultivation, processing and value addition closer to growers
Citronella farmers in Tuli Sub-Division are being linked to a potential local processing and value-addition chain as the Community Educational Centre Society (CECS), with support from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), promotes cultivation of the aromatic crop alongside plans for local distillation.
A citronella distillery was inaugurated at Tzudikong, Watiyongpang, on August 28 by Pauliankap Bulte, General Manager/OIC, NABARD Nagaland Regional Office, in the presence of CECS Director Subonenba Longkumer and NABARD Mokokchung District Development Manager Poji.
The initiative is aimed at linking farmers with processing and value addition so that citronella can be taken beyond cultivation and into production locally.
CECS Director Subonenba Longkumer said the promotion of citronella was a new opportunity for farmers in the area and stressed the need to develop the entire chain, from cultivation to processing and value addition.
He thanked NABARD and the farmers for supporting the initiative and said the programme could open up further opportunities for farmers if the value chain is developed.
NABARD DDM Poji highlighted the potential of citronella and lemongrass as livelihood crops, saying they were relatively easy to cultivate. He encouraged farmers to continue cultivation and share their experience with others to encourage wider adoption of aromatic plants.
Poji also said the distillery could strengthen the initiative by allowing citronella to be processed locally. He assured farmers of NABARD’s continued support.
Bulte stressed the importance of the distillery and encouraged farmers to sustain and expand citronella cultivation and share the experience with other communities.
Farmers involved in the citronella program welcomed the initiative and said the support provided through the cultivation process had given them a new livelihood opportunity.
The initiative is expected to create scope for farmers in Tuli to participate not only in citronella cultivation but also in its processing and value addition.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks by Toshi Aier, Program Officer, CECS.
