Key facts
- Nagaland is transitioning from a history of insurgency to a focus on coffee cultivation, particularly arabica.
- Over 9,500 small growers cultivate nearly 11,800 hectares, producing about 120 tonnes of coffee annually.
- The state aims to expand coffee cultivation to 50,000 hectares by 2047, emphasizing premium, traceable specialty coffee.
- A proposed 'Coffees of Nagaland' initiative seeks ₹175 crore investment, with ₹44 crore already committed by DoNER and NEC.
- Young entrepreneurs are driving the sector with brands like Ete, Juro, YES Coffee, and Nagaland Coffee, expanding both domestically and internationally.
Nagaland, a state in Northeast India with a history of insurgency, is experiencing a significant economic transformation driven by the cultivation of arabica coffee. Villages once associated with conflict are now embracing a new revolution centered on agriculture, with coffee emerging as a symbol of peace and prosperity.
In the Wokha district, villagers in Lakhuti, the former stronghold of insurgency leader Khodao Yanthan, now speak of coffee cultivation with pride. Many households are involved in growing arabica beans, which are processed at facilities like Lithanro Farm in Sanis. This farm operates a state-of-the-art curing facility and a retail outlet, Juro Coffee House, in Dimapur, embodying an ambitious farm-to-cup model.
Lithanro Farm partners with over 100 farmers across Wokha, Mokokchung, and Kohima districts. Nagaland is home to more than 9,500 small coffee growers cultivating nearly 11,800 hectares, producing approximately 120 tonnes of coffee annually. The state's hillsides are considered ideal for arabica, a premium variety.
Officials like Albert Ngullie, director of Nagaland’s Department of Land Resources, highlight the vast potential, with over 1 million hectares suitable for coffee. The state aims to expand cultivation to 50,000 hectares by 2047, focusing on high-quality, traceable, single-origin specialty coffee. A unified branding effort, 'Coffees of Nagaland,' is planned to enhance market presence, similar to the success of Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh.
The initiative is supported by significant government investment, including ₹175 crore projected for the 'Coffees of Nagaland' mission and ₹44 crore committed by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) and the North Eastern Council (NEC) for a pilot project. A scheme also provides a one-time grant of ₹1.12 lakh per hectare for plantation development.