The department of Land Resources in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India and AIC-CCRI-CED organised “Coffee Canvas” and event highlighting the journey of Nagaland coffee from farm to global market, on June 9 at the Capital Cultural Hall, Kohima.
Speaking at the event, MLA and advisor for Land Resources, G Ikuto Zhimomi underscored the tremendous potential and growing global recognition of Nagaland’s coffee industry. Highlighting the beverage’s global relevance, Zhimomi noted that coffee is the second most consumed drink after water, with over 2.25 billion cups consumed daily worldwide.
He emphasized Nagaland’s growing role in India’s northeast coffee landscape, alongside Assam, Manipur, and Meghalaya.
“Nagaland’s coffee is steadily gaining popularity, with local communities embracing the culture and tradition of coffee,” he said.
Zhimomi highlighted the department of Land Resources’ pivotal role in leading a sustainable transformation in coffee cultivation across the state. As the nodal agency for coffee development, the department is promoting eco-friendly farming and processing methods to ensure Nagaland coffee retains its unique flavour profile while preserving the environment.
The legislator said Nagaland has immense potential for coffee cultivation, revealing that approximately 10.4 lakh hectares which is 62.7% of the state’s total geographical area are suitable for coffee. However, only 11,186.78 hectares about 1.08% has been utilised so far.
He also spoke of the international accolades earned by Nagaland coffee, which has drawn praise for its distinct taste. At the Aurora International Taste Challenge (AITC) in South Africa, Nagaland Coffee won a silver in 2021 and a gold in 2023 for its naturally processed coffee from the Nagaland Washing Station.
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Zhimomi said Nagaland coffee is evolving from a commodity into a specialty, setting a benchmark for emerging coffee producing regions and the global recognition is a testament to the commitment of our farmers and stakeholders. He also mentioned that the Government of Nagaland has formally recognized coffee as a key identity product and has adopted it as the state’s Unique Selling Point (USP), ensuring authenticity and market value for local produce.
He further outlined the broader economic benefits of coffee cultivation, citing opportunities in plantations, processing, eco-tourism, and the rise of coffee-themed cafés. The industry is poised to generate employment across the value chain from baristas to tour guides and contribute to sustainable economic development, strategic planning, innovation, and a commitment to quality will define Nagaland’s future in the global coffee market,” he added.
Describing the “Coffee Canvas” event as a platform for farmers, entrepreneurs, and innovators to explore the latest trends in coffee processing, branding, and marketing, the MLA encouraged entrepreneurs to leverage these opportunities and build globally recognized coffee brands that empower local communities and boost the state’s revenue.
Director Land Resources and CEO SLNA Albert Ngullie stated that in 2014, the department, in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India, began efforts to revive existing plantations and expand area coverage under coffee cultivation, considering the immense potential of the crop in the state.
He also said Nagaland possesses highly favourable agro-climatic conditions for the healthy growth of both Arabica and Robusta varieties and a potential coffee-growing area of around 62.7% of Nagaland’s geographical area. The department has set a long-term target of expanding to 50,000 hectares by 2047, in line with India’s 100 years of independence, he added. Ngullie stated that the department promotes coffee through three core principles: ecology, employment, and economy.
Coffee is being promoted as an agro-forestry crop, which involves minimal undergrowth clearing and discourages slash-and-burn practices, he explained. In terms of employment, he said that the coffee sector is creating opportunities across the value chain from plantation and processing to branding and retail offering meaningful livelihood options for the youth of Nagaland.
Speaking on the economic front, Ngullie noted that coffee is a high-value plantation crop with significant potential for foreign exchange. Promoting quality over quantity, he emphasized, will help Nagaland coffee command premium prices in both domestic and international markets. He mentioned that coffee development in the state has grown beyond cultivation, now encompassing the entire value chain right from nursery development to brewing. As the nodal department for coffee development, they are addressing each step including processing, roasting, packaging, marketing, and more, he added.
Ngullie said, the total area developed, only 8% (around 863 hectares) is currently in the harvesting stage, with a cumulative production of 195.40 metric tonnes of parchment and cherry coffee. However, he expressed optimism that within the next two years, at least 50% of the plantations will reach the harvest stage, bringing a substantial increase in production. He also mentioned that the department has helped establish 16 coffee cafes, 12 washing stations, and 7 roasteries, while also organizing regular training sessions and exposure trips both within and outside India.
Highlighting the uniqueness of Nagaland’s coffee, Ngullie remarked that its flavour is influenced by the microclimates, biodiversity, and elevation of the region. Experts in coffee cupping have consistently praised Nagaland coffee for its distinctive qualities which, according to him, are shaped by indigenous flora and traditional farming practices, the region’s cool temperatures, high altitude, and consistent rainfall contribute to the slow and rich maturation of coffee cherries. To maintain quality, he said the department is investing in advanced processing infrastructure and machinery, aimed at preserving the unique characteristics of Nagaland coffee from farm to cup. He emphasised that the department is committed to supporting start-ups and entrepreneurs by providing modern technologies and processing units that align with global standards and also encouraged educated youths to explore entrepreneurship in coffee related businesses such as plantation management, roasting, marketing, experiential tourism, and retail.
Earlier in the programme, a welcome address was presented by Commissioner and Secretary Land Resources Dr. G Hukugha Sema, followed by a brief note on Coffee Canvas by Joint Director (Extn.), Coffee Board, North Eastern Region, Guwahati, Partha Pratim Choudary.
The event also witnessed a technical session on Introduction to AIC-CCRI-CED and SDC by Ashvik K.S., Incubation Manager, AIC-CCRI-CED, Session on Coffee Exports by Dr. Babu Reddy, Deputy Director (Market Research), Coffee Board of India, Presentation on Digital Printing and Packaging by Ramneek Hora and the HP Team Session on Brand Management by Ashish, Founder of We Brand Coffee and Hora Arts, New Delhi (Vendor of HP), and Live Coffee Brewing Demonstration (Manual & Machine Methods) by the Coffee Quality Division, Eté Coffee.
