Nagaland’s coffee industry is gaining steady attention both at home and abroad, as local communities embrace its cultural and economic value. Speaking at the Coffee Canvas event in Kohima on Monday, G. Ikuto Zhimomi, Advisor for Land Resources, said the state has enormous potential for coffee cultivation and is beginning to gain international recognition.
The event, held at the Capital Cultural Hall, was organized by the Department of Land Resources in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India and AIC-CCRI-CED. It carried the theme: “A Journey from Farm to Global Market.”
Zhimomi highlighted that 62.7% of Nagaland’s land—about 10.4 lakh hectares—is suitable for coffee farming, but only 1.08% of that (about 11,186 hectares) is currently being cultivated.
Despite the small scale, Nagaland coffee has already made a mark internationally. It won silver in 2021 and gold in 2023 at the Aurora International Taste Challenge (AITC) in South Africa.
“Coffee is no longer just a commodity,” Zhimomi said. “It’s now a specialty product that reflects our identity and brings market value.” The Nagaland government has officially recognized coffee as one of the state’s Unique Selling Points (USP), aiming to boost its authenticity and branding.
Zhimomi also spoke about the wider benefits of the coffee sector, including new jobs in farming, processing, eco-tourism, and coffee-themed cafés.
Albert Ngullie, Director of Land Resources, said the department has set a goal of expanding coffee cultivation to 50,000 hectares by 2047, which will mark 100 years of India’s independence. He explained that Nagaland’s coffee plan is based on three core principles: Ecology, Employment, and Economy—with a strong focus on eco-friendly agroforestry.
Currently, only 8% (or 863 hectares) of the cultivated land is ready for harvest, producing 195.4 metric tonnes of coffee. However, as more plantations mature, production is expected to rise sharply.
To support this growth, the department has helped establish 16 coffee cafés, 12 washing stations, and 7 roasteries across the state. It also provides training and exposure programs to support local entrepreneurs.
Ngullie added that the state is investing in modern processing infrastructure and scientific techniques to ensure high-quality production—from the farm all the way to the coffee cup.
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