Centre Launches ₹175 Crore 'Coffees of Nagaland' Mission to Build Global Speciality Coffee Ecosystem

Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and Communications Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia has launched the ambitious Cluster-based Coffee Value Chain Development Mission for Nagaland, a major initiative aimed at transforming the northeastern state into a globally competitive specialty coffee hub.

The mission, titled “Coffees of Nagaland”, has been launched with a total outlay of ₹175 crore and is designed to strengthen every stage of the coffee value chain — from cultivation and processing to branding, tourism, and exports.

The launch ceremony was attended by several senior leaders and officials, including:

• Shri Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State, MDoNER

• Shri Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland

• Shri T.R. Zeliang, Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland

• Shri G. Ikuto Zhimomi, Advisor (Land Resources), Government of Nagaland

• Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, MDoNER

along with farmers, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders from the coffee sector.

Mission Designed Through Whole-of-Government Approach

The “Coffees of Nagaland” Mission has been conceptualised using a whole-of-government approach, bringing together multiple ministries, agencies, farmers, and private sector stakeholders to create a sustainable and integrated coffee economy.

Officials said the initiative was carefully designed after considering ground realities, stakeholder perspectives, and the aspirations of farming communities in Nagaland.

The programme aims to create a complete coffee ecosystem by addressing gaps in:

• Plantation development

• Post-harvest processing

• Branding and marketing

• Export promotion

• Traceability systems

• Tourism development

• Capacity building and training

The government believes the integrated approach will help Nagaland transition from a raw coffee-producing region into a premium speciality coffee destination.

Two Pilot Coffee Clusters Identified

The mission adopts a cluster-based implementation strategy, with two pilot coffee clusters identified in Nagaland:

Arabica Coffee Cluster

• Tuophema village, Kohima district

Robusta Coffee Cluster

• Ghotovi village, Niuland district

These pilot clusters will serve as model centres for coffee cultivation, processing, branding, and tourism development.

Officials said the cluster model will help small farmers collectively benefit from shared infrastructure, technical assistance, and market access systems.

Jyotiraditya Scindia Emphasises Farmer-Centric Value Chain

Speaking during the launch, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ensuring that farmers become true stakeholders across the agricultural value chain rather than remaining only producers of raw commodities.

“This is not merely a Whole of Government approach, but truly a Whole of India approach,” the Minister said.

He noted that the mission brings together:

• Governments and ministries

• Farmers and producer groups

• Entrepreneurs and processors

• Branding experts

• Exporters and market leaders

onto a common platform to create a globally competitive coffee economy.

Scindia said the mission aims to transform Nagaland into a premium, traceable, single-origin coffee brand with strong domestic and international market recognition.

Focus on Premium Branding and Global Market Presence

A major component of the mission is the development of a dedicated regional coffee identity under the “Brand North East – Coffees of Nagaland” initiative.

The government plans to support the brand through:

• Media campaigns

• Trade fair participation

• Export promotion

• International market positioning

• Specialty coffee branding initiatives

The Minister said the long-term goal is to secure premium shelf space for Nagaland coffee in domestic and international specialty coffee markets.

He emphasised that the ultimate success of the mission would be measured by:

• Higher incomes for coffee-growing communities

• Global recognition for Nagaland coffee

• Sustainable rural livelihoods

• Long-term market competitiveness

Coffee Tourism to Become Key Growth Driver

The initiative also seeks to integrate coffee cultivation with tourism development to create experiential rural tourism opportunities.

Plans include promoting:

• Coffee farm stays

• Farm-to-cup tourism experiences

• Specialty coffee tourism circuits

• Rural hospitality ventures

in the pilot clusters.

Officials believe Nagaland’s scenic landscapes, tribal culture, and agro-climatic conditions make it an ideal destination for niche coffee tourism.

Scindia said the initiative could help position Nagaland as a unique specialty coffee tourism destination in India and abroad.

Organic Certification and GI Tagging to Boost Exports

Minister of State for MDoNER Shri Sukanta Majumdar highlighted the importance of quality certification, traceability, and branding in increasing farmer incomes.

He said the programme will focus on:

• Organic certification

• Geographical Indication (GI) tagging

• Digital traceability systems

• International quality standards

to help Nagaland coffee gain access to premium international markets.

According to Majumdar, integrating these systems with tourism and local enterprise development will support long-term sustainable growth for farming communities.

Nagaland Government Welcomes Initiative

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio described the project as a milestone in Nagaland’s agricultural diversification and rural development strategy.

He noted that coffee cultivation has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional shifting cultivation practices in several districts.

According to Rio, coffee farming offers opportunities for:

• Environmentally sustainable agriculture

• Soil conservation

• Rural employment generation

• Long-term income stability

The Chief Minister praised the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region for conceptualising and supporting the initiative.

Nagaland’s Agro-Climatic Conditions Suitable for Premium Coffee

MDoNER Secretary Shri Sanjay Jaju highlighted Nagaland’s strong agro-climatic potential for producing high-quality Arabica and Robusta coffee.

He noted that coffee cultivation in the state has expanded significantly over the past decade, but several interventions are still needed to improve:

• Productivity

• Quality standards

• Value addition

• Market access

• Processing infrastructure

He explained that the cluster-based model would allow small farmers to benefit collectively through shared processing facilities, branding support, and technical guidance.

Sustainable Livelihoods and Youth Participation

Officials said the mission is expected to create significant rural livelihood opportunities and encourage greater participation of rural youth in the coffee economy.

The initiative aims to improve:

• Farm-gate value realisation

• Entrepreneurship opportunities

• Rural employment generation

• Sustainable agricultural practices

The government hopes the project will help build a modern, high-value rural economy around specialty coffee production in Nagaland.

Growing Importance of Specialty Coffee in India

India’s specialty coffee industry has seen increasing global interest in recent years, particularly for single-origin, organic, and traceable coffee products.

States such as Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu have traditionally dominated coffee production, but northeastern states are now emerging as promising new regions for high-quality specialty coffee cultivation.

Officials believe Nagaland’s unique climate, terrain, and biodiversity provide strong potential for producing premium coffee varieties capable of competing in international markets.

The “Coffees of Nagaland” Mission is being viewed as an important step toward integrating the Northeast into India’s growing specialty agriculture and export economy.