Jyotiraditya Scindia Launches ‘Coffees of Nagaland’ Mission to Position State as Global Specialty Coffee Hub

Kohima, Nagaland, May 18, 2026: Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia launched the ambitious “Coffees of Nagaland” Mission, a major agricultural and economic initiative designed to establish Nagaland as India’s premium specialty coffee destination under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit North East vision.

The mission, with a total outlay of ₹175 crore, adopts a comprehensive cluster-based strategy focused on strengthening the coffee value chain from plantation to international market access. It will initially develop two pilot clusters—Tuophema village in Kohima district for Arabica coffee and Ghotovi village in Niuland district for Robusta coffee.

Addressing the launch event, Scindia described the initiative as more than a government programme, calling it a “Whole of India approach” that brings together ministries, farmers, entrepreneurs, processors, exporters, branding experts, and market stakeholders to create a sustainable and globally competitive coffee ecosystem.

He emphasized that the mission is structured to move Nagaland beyond raw coffee production into a premium, traceable, single-origin coffee economy with a strong domestic and international market presence. Key focus areas include plantation development, post-harvest processing, branding, digital traceability, marketing, exports, tourism promotion, and skill development.

Scindia highlighted that the project will also establish Brand North East through strategic media campaigns, global trade fair participation, and experiential coffee tourism. Initiatives such as coffee farm-stays and farm-to-cup tourism experiences are expected to position Nagaland as a niche destination for specialty coffee enthusiasts.

Minister of State for DoNER Sukanta Majumdar noted that organic certification, GI tagging, and digital traceability under the mission would significantly boost farmer incomes and strengthen Nagaland’s access to premium international coffee markets.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio praised the initiative, describing it as a milestone for the state’s agricultural diversification strategy. He stated that coffee cultivation offers a sustainable alternative to traditional shifting cultivation while creating long-term economic opportunities for rural communities.

The mission is expected to generate sustainable livelihoods, encourage youth participation in the coffee economy, and enhance farm-level income by improving quality, productivity, and value addition.