Micro and small-scale food processing has long been seen as a viable means of livelihood generation. Across Nagaland, including in Mokokchung, many individuals and communities have taken up micro or home-based food processing. From making pickles, dried fruits, jams, and organic teas to processing grains and spices, these ventures reflect local ingenuity and resourcefulness. Government support is also available through various schemes and training programs aimed at encouraging such initiatives. However, despite these efforts, most ventures fail to take off—they either struggle to survive or remain stagnant, unable to scale up and compete with larger enterprises.
The crucial question is: Why aren’t these ventures thriving? While the enthusiasm for local entrepreneurship is commendable, simply encouraging people to start micro food processing without addressing systemic challenges is insufficient. There is an urgent need for comprehensive research to understand the barriers preventing these ventures from achieving long-term success and growth.
Several factors may be hindering their progress. Limited market access, inadequate infrastructure, packaging and branding issues, and difficulty meeting regulatory standards all present significant challenges. Additionally, consumer trust often favors mass-produced goods from large corporations due to consistency and affordability. Without addressing these issues, local products will continue to struggle to compete on a larger scale.
Policy frameworks must also adapt to ground realities. Policymakers need to analyze why current initiatives are falling short and adjust their strategies accordingly. Are training programs addressing real-world business challenges? Are there gaps in financing or marketing support? Identifying and resolving these gaps through data-driven insights will be more effective than pushing for more ventures without fixing underlying problems.
Enough number of local entrepreneurs have ventured into food processing, many with government support. But where are the results? It is time to ask tough questions and investigate why these efforts are failing to produce sustainable, successful businesses. While encouraging entrepreneurship is crucial, it must be supported by pragmatic interventions and research-backed policy adjustments to drive real and lasting progress.