A one-day programme on “Women-Led Rural Enterprises for a Climate-Smart Nagaland” was held at the NBCC Convention Centre in Kohima on Thursday, bringing together Self-Help Group (SHG) members, rural entrepreneurs, financial institutions and development partners to explore climate-smart and energy-efficient livelihood solutions.
The event was organised by the SELCO Foundation in collaboration with the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM).
Inaugurating the programme, Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen stressed the need to equip women entrepreneurs with modern technology, clean energy solutions, financial inclusion and better market access to build resilient and sustainable rural enterprises.
“Women have long been the backbone of Nagaland’s rural economy, and the next phase of growth must be driven by innovation, technology and climate-smart solutions,” he said.
Highlighting the achievements of NSRLM, Imchen said more than 1.17 lakh rural households have been mobilised into 15,445 SHGs across 1,231 villages in all 17 districts of the state. However, he noted that many women entrepreneurs continue to face challenges in accessing technology, finance and markets.
Referring to the growing impact of climate change on agriculture, including erratic rainfall, disrupted cropping cycles and declining productivity, he said the issue can no longer be ignored and called for the adoption of renewable energy, climate-smart technologies and low-carbon solutions to strengthen rural livelihoods.
Imchen said the partnership between NSRLM, the SELCO Foundation and financial institutions would promote solar-powered technologies such as dryers, grinders and cold storage units, helping entrepreneurs reduce post-harvest losses, improve product quality and generate local employment.
Joint Secretary of Rural Development and Mission Director of NSRLM, Moa Sangtam, encouraged SHG members to explore the technologies and machinery on display and provide feedback to help the mission better support rural enterprises.
The programme featured 19 exhibition stalls showcasing climate-smart technologies, financial solutions and products developed by SHGs. It also included live demonstrations, sessions on financing opportunities and a panel discussion in which women entrepreneurs shared their experiences and enterprise journeys.
