The Department of Planning & Transformation, along with officials from the Departments of Land Resources Development, Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and Roads & Bridges, held a coordination meeting with Statistical Adviser to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India, Dharmvir Jha, during his visit to Nagaland on May 28 at the Office Chamber of the Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner, Kohima. Departments of Agriculture and Tourism could not attend the meeting.
Jha appreciated the performance of IDAN and urged the department to expedite the implementation of MoUs and LoAs with investors. He also asked the Department of Roads & Bridges to speed up construction of NESIDS roads by utilising unspent funds.
During the meeting, Jha reviewed projects and schemes funded by the Ministry of DoNER and stressed the need for timely and sincere implementation. He further stated that all proposals and projects submitted to the ministry should have the concurrence and knowledge of the Planning Department. He asked the Development Commissioner to monitor proposals from submission to implementation.
Jha also expressed interest in agar plantation after learning about its potential in Nagaland and asked the state government to submit a detailed proposal.
Principal Secretary & Development Commissioner Kikheto Sema, IAS, who chaired the meeting, presented the “Journey of Coffee Plantation in Nagaland.” Recalling the challenges faced during the initial years, he said the success of coffee plantation was possible due to the efforts of Land Resources Department officials and support from the state government.
Quoting 1 Corinthians 3:6, Sema said, “Paul planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.”
He said Nagaland coffee has significant potential to increase farmers’ income and create employment opportunities. Sema also highlighted the potential of agarwood plantation in the foothill areas and informed that the State Forest Department has prepared a “Policy on Agarwood,” which is awaiting government approval.
He added that while traditional jhum cultivation remains economically viable, coffee and agarwood plantations could provide additional income and employment opportunities for farming communities across the state.
