North Eastern Council Secretary Satinder Kumar Bhalla reviewed commercial coffee farming in Nagaland on Friday, October 2, 2026. He visited Touphema village in Kohima district to check plantation sites and the Hi-Tech Coffee Washing Station under the Coffee Utilisation of Surplus Potential USP Project Source.
Secretary Bhalla stated that the project must act as an integrated economic development program to improve lives and support national goals.
He stressed the need for better infrastructure, value addition, and market linkages for commercial success.
Farmers raised issues regarding labor shortages, irrigation, and mechanization during the visit.
Bhalla assured that the NEC will explore water harvesting technologies and modern equipment.
He also asked the Nagaland government and Coffee Board to find suitable intercrops like black pepper to boost land productivity.
Nagaland Principal Secretary Y Kikheto Sema noted that state coffee farming started in 1981 but has not reached its full potential yet.
The state is now pursuing a cluster-based value-chain mission to build an origin-based specialty coffee brand.
Secretary Bhalla urged local authorities to attract industrial investment and secure financial arrangements Source.
