Innovation Fund Winners (IF)

Innovation Fund (Innovating Agriculture, one idea at a time) was conceptualised under the FOCUS-Nagaland Marketing Unit as a platform for farmer groups, entrepreneurs, cooperatives, individuals, etc., in the field of agriculture to aid them with resource for innovative Agri-related promotion and solution.

In total, FOCUS Nagaland supports 20 Innovation Fund winners who had been rolled out under two Batches.

IF Winners under Batch I:

1. Jome Foods Pvt Ltd.: Honey Processing, Packaging & Marketing

2. Ms. Danyele: Development of Floriculture as an Enterprise

3. Nagaland Spices: Food Processing- Spices and Traditional Food

4. Tepzen Enterprise: Tepzen Feed Manufacturing Unit

5. Dr. Hutoka Y Jakha: Tissue culture lab cum Spawn production Unit & Forest farming of
Shiitake Mushroom and processing unit

6. Azhezukhikhi Agri & Allied Cooperative Society: Analysing the role and impact of
Integrated Farming System (IFS) and introduction to Net Housing, Nursery Raising,
Agriculture, Sericulture and Horticultural Activities

7. Ching-Len Foundation: Agri Tourism Model Farm

8. Imsus Integrated Agri and Allied Co-operative Society: Etiben Tea Factory

1. JOME FOODS PVT LTD.: HONEY PROCESSING, PACKAGING & MARKETING

Jome Foods Pvt. Ltd. was established in 2021 as the first experiential food company from Northeast India. Under it brand name “GALHO”, it launched its range of Organic Wild Forest honey from Nagaland.

GALHO works with farmers and beekeepers to develop eco-friendly and sustainable methods of wild forest honey harvesting to preserve age old traditional ways while scaling up honey production in the region. It follows an artisanal harvesting process to ensure preservation of maximum nutrients in the honey and hence creating a high-quality product.

The northeast region with its rich biodiversity is home to several species of bees (Apis Cerena, Rock bee and stingless bee) endemic to this region and producing large amounts of honey every year, however the current practices of harvesting honey is one that is unsustainable and is the reason for decline of honey production every year. Jome Foods Pvt. Ltd. currently works with farmers/beekeepers to educate, train and bring in innovative ways to make it a sustainable practice and reverse the decline of honey production.

Jome Foods Pvt. Ltd. is trying to resolve this issue by integrating the best technology infrastructure for sourcing and supply chain systems and processes, innovation in design, packaging and production, and also works on training and skilling women to take up beekeeping as a profession and build a source of livelihood.

The 6-member core team, each with over 30 years of experience in Finance, marketing, branding and media is led by Founder and CEO Mr. Medoneizo Putsure who also founded Bambusa Express, a chain of QSR, based in Nagaland. He holds an MBA degree in finance from University of Wales and previously worked as a business analyst for companies like Royal Dutch Shell, Amazon.com, NBC Universals.

INNOVATION: Primary Collection Centres for Integrated Honey Harvesting

Through the INNOVATION FUND, Jome Foods will set up Honey Primary Collection Centres across the state as part of its 5-year plan to fulfil its objectives of addressing the challenges of lack of constant technical support as well as the lack of market linkages such as access points, proper selling rates, guaranteed purchase etc.

This will help farmers sell their produce at a better selling rate wherein there is also guaranteed purchase with the growing demand for honey and the market navigating towards formalised marketing channel. The Primary Collection Centres will further act as information centres for the farmers by helping them value-add their produce as well as providing capacity building to upscale their income and knowledge through integrated farming. It will also support the wild honey harvesters to sustainably harvest.

Current Status: Raw materials including Bee Boxes and Equipment for Primary Collection Centre being purchased.

District: Kohima

Target Area/Household: 4 Districts of Zunheboto, Wokha, Phek & Mokokchung/40 households

Contact details: Jome Foods Pvt Ltd

Email- medoneizo@gmail.com

Phone- 9615279142

2. MS. DANYELE: DEVELOPMENT OF FLORICULTURE AS AN ENTERPRISE

Ms. Danyele started her journey as a flower entrepreneur by fluke in the year 2021. While organising a large event in Dimapur, the commercial hub of Nagaland, she realised that there was a dearth of variety and volume with regard to fresh flowers with majority of the fresh flowers imported from other states such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala etc. This single event led to the journey of starting an online fresh flower store. After having spoken to a number of fresh flower wholesale dealers, fresh flower farms from the major cities of Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai, she decided to find a way to create a unique experience for clients in Nagaland through fresh flowers imported in bulk from metro cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, etc by curating flowers as per their specific needs and wants as far as it would be possible.

INNOVATION: Development of Floriculture as an Enterprise

Through the Innovation Fund, Ms. Danyele Thong aims to promote and develop Floriculture as an Economic Enterprise by emphasising on locally grown seasonal flowers; eliminate intermediaries and lower cost for the local floral retailers; become less dependent on imported flowers; create job avenues for rural youth and womenfolk that have a natural knack and interest in growing flowers, various other plants; collaborate with other local florist shops, market and export agencies, creating a shorter sustainable supply chain from farm to store- grower to customer. (B2C); realize the potential of ornamental cultivation by the new comers;

expand commercial floriculture for sustainable crop production; educate farmers and entrepreneurs in the principle of ‘Seeing is believing’ though exposure visit inside and outside the state; make the best utilization of floriculture wastes; introduce new commercial varieties floriculture to enhance the crop production; improve the economic condition of the rural farmers; produce quality planting materials of ornamental crops in the locality to cater the need of the farmers; attract rural mass towards flori‐farming, a highly remunerative crop; develop aesthetic value of common people and balancing of ecosystem; create avenues for export of floricultural products from the state; storage of perishable ornamental products; and transport of perishable ornamental products through cool chain management.

Current Status: Site & Land Development, Construction of Water Boring and Foundation of the Office Building have been initiated.

District: Tseminyu

Target Area/Household: Tseminyu/ 600 farmers

Contact details: Ms. Danyele Thong
Rengmapani, Tseminyu sub-division,
Nagaland, Phone: 8131836951

3. DR. HUTOKA Y JAKHA: TISSUE CULTURE LAB CUM SPAWN PRODUCTION
UNIT & FOREST FARMING OF SHIITAKE MUSHROOM AND PROCESSING UNIT

Dr. Hutoka Y. Jakha has a Ph.D in Botany from Nagaland University. His topic of research was “Documentation of orchid resources of Kiphire, Tuensang and Zunheboto districts of Nagaland and micropropagation of two threatened species.” With several publications in national and international journals to his credit besides paper presentations in numerous conferences, he also served as honorary warden at Asukhomi Community Reserve, Zunheboto, which was declared as a Community Reserved Forest by the Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in the year 2020.

INNOVATION: Tissue culture lab cum Spawn production Unit & Forest farming of Shiitake Mushroom and processing unit

The Innovation Fund will be used to enhance household income through mushroom cultivation as well as nutritional intake at the household level, particularly for women and children. It also aims to promote Farmer Producer Groups and create a network of market supply chain and a sustainable and upgrading mushroom business by reinvesting from the income generated besides improving the forest soil health by decomposing the forest waste materials. It further aims to produce processed and value-added mushroom products such as dried mushroom, mushroom pickle, mushroom chips and mushroom powder.

Using a multi-pronged strategy in which a laboratory is setup to facilitate production of shiitake mushroom spawn as well as tissue culture of floriculture plants particularly Orchids, it will make optimum use of laboratory resource and space. This project also envisages production of floriculture plantlets i.e. clonal orchid propagules while the facility will be used as a spawning unit for seasonal shiitake mushroom during the growth period of orchid clonal propagules.

Current Status: Purchase of Lab Machineries/Equipment, Wooden Dowel making and setting up of Orchid Nursery as well as foundation for Laboratory is in progress.

District: Zunheboto

Target Area/Household: Zunheboto district/50 households

Contact details: Email- hutoka.jakha@gmail.com
Phone- 8258966520/8787791471

4. IMSUS INTEGRATED AGRI AND ALLIED CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY: ETIBEN TEA
FACTORY

It was during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic that a group of likeminded educated friends came together through social media in July 2020. The Group discussed the shortage of essential commodities in the market due to the nationwide lockdown and the lack of local production as well as marketing within the State.

Seeing the weak local economy and the vast potentialities of local resources available and the potential market, the Group decided that instead of preparing for Government job exams (which were postponed due to the pandemic) they should venture into the rural areas and tap the opportunities that are readily available and also provide gainful employment to the rural families either directly or indirectly and also sustain oneself.

The Group registered themselves as Imsus Integrated Agri & Allied Co-operative Society and ventured into livestock by making their own animal feed. The Society has an area of 8 acres of land where they rear livestock and also grow crops such as Tapioca, Maize, etc.

The Society also entered into an MoU with the Small Tea Farmers under Mokokchung District to buy back their tea leaves at existing market rates as and when the Society is able to set up a Tea Factory. The Society has a tea garden measuring 9 acres and handmade tea are produced.

INNOVATION: Establishment of Tea Factory at Mopungchuket

The Innovation Fund will be used to productively utilize the abundant resources available in the area to enable uninterrupted supply of the products within the State throughout the year as well as encourage the youths to have a permanent established business.

The proposed tea processing unit is located 12 kilometers away from the Mokokchung district headquarter. With several small tea gardens around the location of the processing plant, it also serves as a convenient and easy source for the processing plant to procure the tea leaves from the tea growers.

Current Status: Procurement of K1 Series CTC Machine and processing Centre work in progress.

District: Mokokchung

Target Area/Household: Mokokchung/176 households

Contact details: Mr. Imsusunep Jamir (Chairman)
Phone: 9863428546

5. AZHEZUKHIKHI AGRI & ALLIED COOPERATIVE SOCIETY: ANALYSING THE ROLE AND IMPACT OF INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM (IFS) AND INTRODUCTION TO NET HOUSING, NURSERY RAISING, AGRICULTURE, SERICULTURE AND HORTICULTURAL ACTIVITIES

The Society was registered under the Cooperation Department in the year 2015 initially with 25 members and currently has 29 members all of whom are engaged either in Agriculture, Horticulture, Fishery or Livestock. In the recent past, the Society has also constructed a farm house, 2 (two) fishery ponds, and a temporary pigsty. One of the primary objectives of the Society is to facilitate the sales of the agricultural produce of farmers in the area.

INNOVATION: Analysing the role and impact of Integrated Farming System (IFS) and introduction to Net Housing, Nursery Raising, Agriculture, Sericulture and Horticultural Activities

Through the Innovation Fund, the Society hopes to achieve a better agricultural status, which enables the sustainable agricultural production system, profitability and productivity wherein 95% of nutritional requirement of the system will also be self-sustained through resource recycling. It also envisions that there will be an increase in employment generation and farming families will further have proper food and nutritional security.

Current Status: Procurement of PVC Pipe, Electrification, Net House, Construction of Farm House and Land Development for Goatery and Pigsty.

District: Kiphire

Target Area/Household: Kiphire/ 29 households

Contact details: Ms.Tovikali (Secretary)
Ph.No.7005746060

6. CHING-LEN FOUNDATION: AGRI TOURISM MODEL FARM

Ching-Len foundation is grassroots, non-profit, non-governmental organisation founded in 2008 by service minded and dedicated youth of Chen-Konyaks of Mon district in the state of Nagaland. Limited social and economic development prompted a team to start the organisation to address unmet needs in the community. The organisation also works towards improving the socio-economic status of marginalised populations, particularly women with the belief that economic opportunities and social empowerment go hand in hand in empowering these groups. The ultimate goal of the foundation is to improve the quality of life for the oppressed, the disadvantaged and the marginalised people in Mon district of Nagaland especially in the remotest areas. It also seeks to reduce poverty and empower the underprivileged tribal Konyak women by providing them with better livelihoods, higher incomes, and a secure future for their children through counselling and training.

With the mission to provide support, build capacity and integrate individuals into mainstream society who have traditionally and culturally been suppressed in personal, social, economic and political domains and also to alleviate the sufferings of the poorest communities through sustainable grassroots initiatives, in an effort to fulfil the basic human rights by embracing a spirit of compassion and service to all humanity, the Ching-Len Foundation provides services to backward villages scattered in and around the Indo-Myanmar international border under Mon district of Nagaland.

INNOVATION: Model Agri-Tourism Farm

Through the Innovation Fund, Ching-Len Foundation will be developing a model Agri-Tourism Farm which will include a fish farm housing different species of fish that will both provide additional income to farmers and also serve as an attraction for visitors. Another highlight will be the traditional food restaurant where local food is served in a traditional way with the view to promote traditional dishes. The Model Agri-Tourism Farm will also have different species of plants, flowers, fruit trees to provide farm-fresh fruits and vegetables and flowers that will add to the beauty of the Farm. Besides these, the Farm will further act as a centre for entertainment by inviting local singers and musicians to perform and different festivals could also be organised. It also intends to bring in educational institutions and organisations to come and enjoy the natural setting, learn the traditional ways of farming, experience the traditional food and promote cultural exchange within and outside the state. All of these activities have been envisioned to provided additional income for the farmers.

Current Status: Work in progress for Fish Pond, Food Court Pavilion, Levelling and Preparation of Land for Plantation, Seeds and Plants.

District: Mon

Target Area/Household: Mon/15000-25000 persons

Contact details: Mr. L. Chenngam Konyak (Chairman)
Phone- 9862877055

7. TEPZEN ENTERPRISE is a Tseminyu based conglomeration of feed industry, farm and food founded in the year 2017. With its feed not only trusted by farming community of Nagaland but also used by research institutions like AICRP on pigs, SASRD Medziphema, Tezpen Feeds have been certified and awarded with ‘A’ grade category for its quality and safety by the FarmTech Lab, Guwahati.

Some of the key activities of the Enterprise are manufacturing and marketing of livestock and poultry feeds, production of superior quality piglets and pork, breeding of non-descript/local pigs with exotic breeds, training and workshop for progressive/startup farmers, and supply of animal feed supplements, Tepzen Concentrate & premixes.

INNOVATION: Tepzen Feed Manufacturing Unit

With no feed manufacturing industry in Nagaland despite the increasing demand for livestock and poultry feed, Tepzen Feed Manufacturing Unit address this problem through the Innovation Fund. This will further generate employment and open avenues for Naga entrepreneurs in the form of partnering with them as the Enterprise’s dealers and suppliers. At the same time, sourcing raw materials from farmers for the feed would encourage the farmers to cultivate raw materials on a large scale, whose produce will be collected from the doorsteps of the farmers thereby doubling the income of the farmers. Tepzen also aims to encourage livestock farmers to adopt scientific feeding practices as conventional feeding practice requires a lot of time and effort. These practices would eventually enhance the economy of the state as a whole.

Current Status: Feed Mill, Raw Materials such as gur, Soya DOC Soya oil, pre-mixers, mineral mixture, husk powder are being purchased.

District: Tseminyu

Target Area/Household: Tseminyu/ 100 households

Contact details: Mr. Hinsilo Tep

Email- tepzenenterprise@gmail.com
Phone- 8787814045/8730928366

8. NAGALAND SPICES: FOOD PROCESSING- SPICES AND TRADITIONAL FOOD

Mr. Hika Zhimomi is the founder of a product line of amla tea under the brand name, “Alokeu”. His journey in this venture started when he saw excess of gooseberries that were left to rot away while visiting his village. Seeing that there were many gooseberry trees in the area, he decided to find a way to preserve the fruit and eventually made tea out of it. He went on to build equipment and machineries such as electric dehydrators with temperature control, solar dehydrator, sift washer, grinder tables, etc, for processing the fruits. This initiative has motivated villagers even more and they eagerly wait for the gooseberry season as they would be able to collect and sell the surplus.

INNOVATION: Nagaland Spices

Through the Innovation Fund, Nagaland Spices plans to set up and expand the current facilities to provide quality certified food products indigenous to the state. Some of the products in this regard include Axone, Anishi and Mejenga. Nagaland Spices will process, package, and market authentic Sumi Axone, under stringent quality parameters, and ensure its availability to all while Anishi, another widespread delicacy will be prepared by professionals from Mokokchung and under quality parameters while Mejenga, a pungent spice will be processed and packahed for direct use with predetermined expiry dates to enable customers to enjoy the unique taste and aroma to the fullest.

Current Status: Land Development and foundation for Processing Unit has been initiated as per the milestone.

District: Zunheboto

Target Area/Household: Zunheboto & Mokokchung/ 12 households and indirect outreach to farmers of these two districts.

Contact details: Mr. Hika Zhimomi (Managing Director)

Email- hika.zhimomi@gmail.com
Phone- 8259852585

IF WINNERS UNDER BATCH II:

1. Community Seed Bank (CSB), Jakhama village, Kohima: Local Indigenous Seed Business

2. ACME Foundation: Agriconnect E-marketing platform

3. Pinnacle Skills, Society for Education Empowerment & Development- Promoting Skill
Building & Youth Entrepreneurship in the agriculture sector.

4. The Local Harvest Kitchen: A Community Kitchen, Farm to Table Restaurant

5. Naga Agro Traders (NAT): Rural Resource Training Centre

6. Kezevicho Farmer Co-operative Society Ltd.: Capacity Building centre & Primary
Distribution centre for Livestock feeds.

7. Naga Coffee Pvt. Ltd: Collection Centre cum Capacity Building centre for Coffee

8. G. Kemp: Arecanut Plantation and Areca leaf plate manufacturing unit

9. M/S Viekhrolo Koza: Honey collection centre (HCC)

10. Mr. Baman Y. B. Buchem: Animal Feed Manufacturing Unit

11. Mr. Henmei Phom: Areca Leaf Plate and Bowls

12. Misu Kok Kok SHG, Natsami Village: Integrated Farming System

1. COMMUNITY SEED BANK (CSB), JAKHAMA VILLAGE, KOHIMA: LOCAL
INDIGENOUS SEED BUSINESS

Community Seed Bank (CSB)- Jakhama was established in the year 2021 at Jakhama Village, Kohima District. The CSB is an initiative of FOCUS project supporting communities with establishing seed bank units for conservation as well as building livelihood/ entrepreneurial models of seed business. This initiative introduced in Jakhama Village has been well accepted and successfully undertaken as a community project in the village. The CSB is managed by a Managing Committee of 17 members comprising of Seed keepers, young people and women farmers. The CSB currently has a seed collection unit and plans on building an entrepreneurial model on seed business.

The strength of the CSB lies within the community support and collective farmer’s vision. The CSB currently has 60 seed producers from within the village and piloting initiatives on seed collection, sorting and grading has started.

Problems identified and to be addressed through the sub-project:

Diminishing/ loss of indigenous seeds and crop varieties
Need for revival & conservation of heirloom species
Need for research & documentation of various heirloom species

Innovation Concept: Local Seed Business & Conservation

Through the Innovation fund support, the CSB proposes for establishing a Seed collection unit and wild fruit processing unit at Jakhama village. The CSB plans on expanding its outreach to seed producers in other villages for seed collection. The FOCUS fund support will also be utilised for setting up a wild fruit processing unit to generate income for managing and sustaining the Seed Business start-up.

Implementation Plan

Mobilisation of seed producers from 4 villages under Jakhama Block and 1 CSB in Kohima District

Setting up of Seed Collection centre at Jakhama village where operations of sorting, grading and packaging will take place.

Training for seed producers on seed multiplication, germination and quality testing

Setting up of Fruit processing unit within the Seed collection centre. Acquiring of necessary licence for food safety

Setting up of an Outlet at Kohima town for marketing of branded and packaged seeds processed fruit juices and other crafts.

Institute adequate Human resource for daily operation

Contact details: Mrs Mhasheneinu Zao
Phone- 7630098912
Email- clararicha79@gmail.com

2. ACME FOUNDATION: AGRICONNECT E-MARKETING PLATFORM

ACME Foundation is an organisation focused on education, capacity building, skill development, entrepreneurship and rural development. The organisation proposes on developing e-marketing platforms for agricultural produces and also enter into contract farming with farmers from 9 districts of Nagaland- Kohima, Wokha, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Phek, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng and Tseminyu.

Problems identified and to be addressed through the sub-project:

Limited market access for farmers
Limited bargaining power and price negotiation
Lack or limited market information

Innovation Concept: E- Marketing

Developing user friendly digital platform which is accessible for farmers and buyers
Ensuring a maximised Market outreach through the E- Marketing platform which targets wholesalers, retailers and processors.
Establishing fair and well-defined frameworks for undertaking contract farming which safeguards the interests of both farmers and buyers.
Ensuring quality control standards for produces of farmers marketed on the platform. Assist farmers in obtaining relevant certification and accreditations for their produces.

Implementation Plan:

Research & Need Assessment- Conduct comprehensive study for understanding the crop patterns, market demands and challenges faced by farmers.

E-Marketing Platform development- Collaborate with technical experts for developing module for E- Marketing. Additionally ensure that the module maps logistics for transportation of farmers produces.

Contract farming- identify reputed agencies and potential buyers for linking with farmers. Establish contract farming agreements outlining responsibilities and profit-sharing mechanisms. Facilitate negotiations between farmers and buyers for entering into contract agreements.

Quality assurance and certification- Implement quality assurance measures to ensure that the agricultural produces meet marketing standards

Market Linkages and promotion- Develop marketing strategy to promote agricultural process from Nagaland in domestic and international markets

Sustainability and scaling- develop sustainability plan to ensure the long- term viability of the E- Marketing platform

Contact details: Mr. Mhasezo Tetso
Phone- 6002081966
Email- acmefoundationnagaland@gmail.com
Office website- https://agriconnectnagaland.com/

3. PINNACLE SKILLS: SEED (SOCIETY FOR EDUCATION EMPOWERMENT &
DEVELOPMENT)- PROMOTING SKILL BUILDING & YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP
IN THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR.

Pinnacle Skills is a registered training and capacity building agency operating in various districts of Nagaland. The agency is a training partner with National Skill Development Corporation and has been imparting skill-based trainings and incubations for young people in the state. The agency supported under Innovation fund proposes for skill building and promotion of
Agro-entrepreneurship for young people in the State.

Problems identified and to be addressed through the sub-project:

Limited market information
Lack of resources for value addition

Innovation Concept: Skill building, facilitating financial access and handholding support to young people for establishing agribusiness.

Training for young people on digital literacy, identifying and building business models, organisational development, financial literacy and Small/Medium enterprises.

The agency to provide certification for trainees on proper assessment of the built capacities of the trainees. The certifications will be affiliated and accredited by the national Skill Development Corporation and Sector Skills Council

Mentoring and hand-holding support to be rendered post completion of training in order to facilitate establishment of enterprises

The trainees will also be facilitated with credit linkages for enabling capital for start-ups

Implementation Plan:

Onboarding of Resource teams and initiate staff development measures

Enrolment of trainees

Contact details: Mr. Kwelunghiele Zeliang
Phone- 8413872743
Email- contact@seed.net.in

4. THE LOCAL HARVEST KITCHEN: A COMMUNITY KITCHEN, FARM TO TABLE
RESTAURANT THE LOCAL HARVEST- A COMMUNITY KITCHEN

The Local Harvest- A Community Kitchen is a start-up Agri- Business model to be undertaken by a group of young enthusiasts and entrepreneurs promoting Slow food, indigenous cuisines and local produces.

Problems identified and to be addressed through the sub-project:

Limited market access for local farmers
Declining Agricultural diversity
Economic opportunities for rural communities
Overshadowing of Local cuisines by growing fast food culture
Environmentally sustainable businesses
Food and health security

Innovation Concept: Promoting biodiverse farming through reinforcing dietary and food culture- Community Driven Kitchen for promoting conscious dining

Establish direct market linkages for farmers produces through contract farming for sourcing the dining menu requirements.

Training support for contracted farmers to manage farming sustainably while improving yield. Resource centre identified for imparting training especially on soil health, pest management and other improved sciences on irrigation and Agro-Ecological farming

Promotion and engagement of Local cooks from diverse communities as short duration Featured chefs for the kitchen

Food Innovations for indigenous unutilised crops to encourage revival of diminishing food crops

Provide customers with services of conscious dining which include- acknowledging farmers/ crop producers, cultural ethos associated with food and crops and nutritional information

Implementation Plan

PHASE 1: (2 months)

Construction of the Kitchen- The project will focus its priority construction on the Kitchen space. This is to ensure that the Kitchen can begin its running operations on a small scale.
Furnishing of the Community Kitchen: Minimal & basic furnishing of the kitchen and dining areas will be considered in the 1^st phase. This will enable the Community Kitchen to start running its services. Nursery for On-site gardening will also be initiated during this phase.
Community Mobilization: The project will begin its consultations with communities which will involve gathering of data on local farmers and suppliers to establish sustainable partnerships for ingredient sourcing. Initiation of agreements for contract farming with young farmers across villages will also be conducted in this phase.
Operational Planning: In the 1^st Phase, the project will develop the following
Establish a plan for organised sourcing & Menu development
Develop strategy for engaging Local cooks & chefs in an organized timeframe
Register Local cooks & chefs
Develop accounting measures to gauge profitability
Develop & put in place marketing strategy to create awareness about the Community Kitchen Concept among the target audience in Kohima.
Staffing & Trainings: The basic required staffs for operating the Community kitchen on a small scale will be recruited in the 1^st Phase. The recruited staffs will be provided with an orientation and basic training on the concept of the Community kitchen, food handling, customer service & sustainability practices
Pre-opening of the Community Kitchen

PHASE 2: (2 months)

Construction of the dining area & on-site lodge
Complete furnishing of the Community Kitchen
Onboarding additional staffs for initiating full operation of the Community Kitchen
Feature Chefs from local communities will be initiated by the 2^nd Phase

PHASE 3: (Ongoing)

By the 3^rd Phase, the Community Kitchen is established and in full operation. During this phase, monitoring on aspects on day-to-day managing will be assessed to improve its performance and realising the mission & objectives of the project

Marketing & Branding: The 3^rd Phase will emphasize on advertising and promotion of the Community Kitchen

Revenue Streams: The Community Kitchen in its full operation mode will generate its major revenue from the following streams:

Dining Sales: The primary revenue stream will be derived from dining sale
Events and Private Dining: The Kitchen will host special events and private dining experiences, catering to a niche audience seeking exclusive farm-to-table gatherings.
Promotion store: The Kitchen will have a counter to market Processed/ value added products of farmers & entrepreneurs

Contact details: Ms. Abinoh Tsuhah
Email- abinotsuhah@gmail.com
Phone- 9856070709

5. NAGA AGRO TRADERS (NAT): RURAL RESOURCE TRAINING CENTRE

Naga Agro Traders formed in 2019 is led by an enthusiastic team with technical expertise in Agriculture as well as scientific management of Bio- Resources.

Problems identified and to be addressed through the sub-project:

Sustainable utilisation of resources
Grass-root level development
Disadvantages of Jhum with alternative towards settled farming

Innovation Concept: Rural resource Training Centre on Integrated Farming models

Upscaling of existing nursery to propagate plants through cutting and grafting methods
Vaccination centre for livestock (poultry) farmers in neighbouring villages
Integrated farming incorporating bee keeping and livestock rearing
Amusement hut for craft making- banana fibre
Processing of horticultural produces to prevent waste of perishable produces
Promote Agro-Tourism through recreational program

Implementation Plan:

Construction of infrastructures for training centre and setting up demo plots on various integrated farming models. Equipping the centre
Onboarding of staffs in the Integrated farm and training centre
Initiate trainings of rural unemployed youths
Facilitate value addition of horticultural and agricultural crops produced on the IFS site
Collection and marketing of marketing produce from the IFS site as well as from neighbouring villages
Conduct fairs with neighbouring cluster village

6. KEZEVICHO FARMER CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LTD.: CAPACITY BUILDING
CENTRE & PRIMARY DISTRIBUTION CENTRE FOR LIVESTOCK FEEDS.

Kezevicho farmer Co-operative Society ltd. is a farmer collective registered under the
co-operative societies of the State. The Society has its base and members from Viswema village of Kohima District.

Problems identified and to be addressed through the sub-project:

Limited access to quality livestock feed
Unemployment scenario in the state
Limited market avenues for farmers to sell their produces

Innovation Concept: Introducing mechanisms to meet local requirements of livestock feed and enhanced economy

Market linkages for farmers- Sourcing of raw materials for the feed mill from farmers

Training for progressive farmers

Manufacturing and production of livestock feed

Implementation Plan:

Setting up of a production unit at Viswema village and equipping the unit with required machineries

Onboarding of staffs- training support for operation of the unit

Production of the feed and pilot assessments on quality and customer feedback of the produces

On satisfactory achievement of quality- production to continue improvised with the feedbacks gathered

Training for livestock farmers in three districts on feed management, animal health care, sanitation.

Contact details: Mr. Khekivi Awomi (Managing Director)
Phone- 9862244235
Email- khekiviawomi98@gmail.com

7. NAGA COFFEE PVT. LTD: COLLECTION CENTRE CUM CAPACITY BUILDING
CENTRE FOR COFFEE

Naga Coffee Pvt.Ltd is the first speciality coffee processing company in north east India established in 2016. Pioneering among the sector leaders in India by ensuring traceability, accountability, scientific approach and sustainability from farms to cup. It aims to foster value addition sector to generate employment opportunity and optimised economic benefit to the coffee grower from the given resources while promoting people care and fair share. Naga Coffee Pvt Ltd won the Gold in Aurora International Taste Challenge (AITC) 2023 held in South Africa.

Problems identified and to be addressed through the sub-project:

Nagaland has envisaged upon scaling of coffee production due to the following opportunities prevailing both in the national and international market:

Presence of market and potential for upscaling coffee production in Nagaland
High Revenue of coffee in the international market
Coffee from Nagaland is tested and found to be one of the best coffees in the world

The State has encouraged coffee farming and the number of coffee growers have increased. However, the following challenges exists:

Non availability of collection/ aggregation centres
Manual methods of storing which leads to spoilage on quality of the coffee produces

Innovation concept: Capacity building and setting up collection cum information centres for coffee growers

The collection centres to cater to storage needs which will retain the quality of coffee

Market linkage for farmers to sell their coffee produces

The scope and demand for green coffee in the local and international market presents an opportunity to young farmers and entrepreneurs for scaling up livelihood opportunities

Develop processing of ‘Coffee’ from locally grown coffee

Capacity building to provide ready market for coffee farmers

Provide adequate information to coffee farmers to improve their farming practices

Implementation Plan:

Secure rented building for setting up collection centres- 2 centres located at Kohima and Phek districts

Orientation and training of staffs to be employed at the unit- the team will be oriented with the objectives of the sub-project and expected outcomes.

Identification of coffee farmers from Kohima and Phek district and organise capacity building trainings for the farmers onboarded. The sub-project targets to onboard 200 farmers directly and support them with quality coffee seeds, basic tools and equipment for plantation as well as harvesting.

Purchase of coffee beans from the farmers- a target of 6400 kgs to be procured. Processing of the coffee beans at the processing unit

Mapping of market players- The team will map the relevant markets for the processed products and understand the market volume requirement in the district and state and build a network of buyers. To ensure there is sufficient demand for the produces, the team is currently working on increasing sales channel through:

Third party online aggregators
Retail outlet
Social media
Marketing campaigns
Export to foreign countries

Contact details: Mr. Ehuveyi Ruho

Phone- 9612370426

8. G. KEMP: ARECANUT PLANTATION AND ARECA LEAF PLATE MANUFACTURING
UNIT

The sub- project on Areca-nut plantation and Areca leaf plat manufacturing unit is proposed by an entrepreneur as a start-up venture. Nagaland stands 12^th position in the production of Arecanut also known as betel nut mostly grown in the foothills of the State. Value addition of Arecanut involves two methods- one method involving soaking of fresh areca nuts to ferment and the other involving conversion of fresh areca nuts to supari. Value addition of fresh areca leaf sheaths is taken up by pressing the leaf sheaths into leaf plates which is in high demand as an alternative disposable product.

Problems identified and to be addressed through the sub-project:

Absence of processing centres and organised aggregation which leads to ununiformed prices and farmers bargaining powers
Absence of alternatives to plastic disposable produces
Unemployment scenario in the State

Innovation Concept: Arecanut Plantation and Areca leaf plate manufacturing unit

The sub-project proses for setting up a manufacturing unit of areca leaf plates sourcing leaf sheaths from farmers across the cluster villages.

The unit will be open for entrepreneurs to utilize on rental basis for areca leaf plate production

Implementation Plan:

Phase 1: Setting up of Areca leaf manufacturing unit

Selection of site and setting up of a structure to shelter the processing machineries, collection room for areca leaf sheaths
Onboarding of staffs for operating the unit- capacity building and planning for operation of the unit.
Consistent sourcing of areca leaf sheaths for leaf plate production- Areca nut farmers from the cluster and neighbouring villages will be encouraged to sell their produce to the unit
Sales trials will be conducted to meet the market standard requirements of the produces

Phase 2: Arecanut plantation

Plantation of 900-1000 areca nut trees
Aligning the leaf plate production activities with the plantation
Employing labourers in the plantation as well as in the processing unit
Engaging landless farmers to be collectors of areca leaves from areca nut farmers
The unit will be open to aspiring entrepreneurs to utilize the unit on rental basis for Arecanut leaf plate production

Contact details: Dr. G. Kemp

Email- drgkemp01@gmail.com
Phone- 9402831903

9. M/S VIEKHROLO KOZA: HONEY COLLECTION CENTRE (HCC)

M/S Viekhrolo Koza has a long-term plan and dream to set up Honey Collection Centre (HCC) in the Eastern Nagaland and would like to utilize the Innovation fund to achieve the targets. It envisages to create efficient ecosystem which empower the Bee farmers. The applicant has a long-term experience of over 15 years in marketing and community mobilization.

Problems identified and to be addressed through the sub-project:

Lack of stable market linkages and proper selling rates for honey farmers to:

Get profitable and fair prices for harvested honey- farmers end up selling in an unorganised manner incurring logistic costs
Loss because of time and packaging investments farmers manage at individual levels
Lack of technical support and use of conventional methods for honey collection

Innovation concept: Setting up Honey processing centres in strategic location

Identifying strategic location for easing accessibility of honey farmers to sell their produces at fair prices.

Equip honey farmers with improved practices on bee rearing and honey production

Linkages for honey farmers with market players through market forecasts and production requirements.

Implementation Plan:

Setting up of HCCs: Create permanent access points for farmers to directly come and sell their produces.
Capacity building and onboarding & distribution of boxes: The capacity building shall be provided in 5-6 batches consisting of a minimum of 15 farmers each. On completion of the training, the farmers will be supported with introductory kit consisting of 1 bee box per farmer and honey handling equipment like gloves, smokers and protective gears
Purchase of honey: To measure the success of the project, a target purchase of 12000 kgs is targeted. The HCC shall reach out to existing farmers and promote the centre. The outreach is expected to be via word of mouth, existing clients, NGOs etc

Contact details: Mrs. Viekhrolo Koza

Email- viekhrolokoza7@gmail.com
Phone- 8794494306

10. MR. BAMAN Y. B. BUCHEM: ANIMAL FEED MANUFACTURING UNIT

With the never-ending demand of meat in Nagaland and to meet the demand, the local livestock farmers have started progressive methods of raising livestock by feeding quality manufactured feed which are available in the market.

Majority of the livestock farmers in Longleng district have also started the progressive method of raising the livestock. However, many of the farmers cannot purchase quality feed to feed their livestock on a daily basis following a daily routine diet due to high cost as the feeds are mostly supplied from Assam especially from Amguri town, Sivasagar district. As a result, transportation cost and chain of wholesalers to the retailers which lead to increase in the cost of the product.
Furthermore, majority of the farmers in Longleng district grow pulses and cereals as their main crop. Hence, the most basic raw materials for feed production are locally available, however, there is absence of manufacturing units or industries in Longleng district.

Problems identified and to be addressed through the sub-project:

Lack of aggregation of locally produced raw materials and under-utilization – Set up of aggregation and feed manufacturing unit at Tangha village, Longleng district.
High prices of quality feed- set up of feed manufacturing unit in order to avoid transporting from outside Nagaland which is high in cost.

Innovation concept: Manufacturing local livestock feed

Contributing towards the creation of jobs for unemployed youths in the village through this unit and enhancement of income for the local producers.

Implementation Plans:

Establish an aggregation and manufacturing unit at Tangha village where raw materials like Soyabean & Maize will be aggregated from 100 farmers.
Processing of raw materials and manufacture of livestock locally produced feed. Purchase required equipment’s/machineries for undertaking processing such as grinding, mixing, pelleting and packaging.
Market Plan: Manufactured livestock feed to be distributed at two towns namely Longleng Town and Tamlu Town. Identify progressive livestock farmer for direct consumption and creating linkages with potential wholesalers/retailers within and outside the district.

Contact details: Mr. Baman Y.B Buchem
Phone- 9856128090

11. MR. HENMEI PHOM: ARECA LEAF PLATE AND BOWLS

With the district of Longleng taking up Arecanut plantation extensively through both government and private supported ventures, this has positively affected the boost of beetle nut export for the farmers. Capitalizing on this situation, Mr. Henmei Phom went a step further by focusing on the making use of the other resources of the Areca tree which included the leaf keeping in mind his vision to produce an environment friendly product for the community. With this vision, he proposes to set up an Areca leaf plate and bowl manufacturing unit within the district.

Innovative concept- Harnessing unused natural resources for the production of
environment friendly products.

Innovative plan-

Engaging Areca plantation farmers from 100-150 households for the purpose of collecting the Areca leafs.

Hiring and training of youths for engaging them in the production process
To meet the high demand of customers who have started giving importance to the usage of environment friendly plates and bowls sourced from the Areca leaf compared to the commercial products made of plastic and synthetic materials which are hazardous to the environment.

Contact details: Mr. Henmei Phom

Email- henmeibalum@gmail.com
Phone- 8730064821

12. MISU KOK KOK SHG, NATSAMI VILLAGE: INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEM

Through the Innovation Fund, the SHG plans to adopt improved agricultural system through Integrated Farming System wherein particularly Livestock farming will be integrated. The objective of this sub-project is to increase productivity and meet the market requirements through a collective farming.

Innovation Plan: Adoption of improved agricultural practices

Implementation Plans:

Introduction of improved agriculture management practices such as sourcing of good quality seeds,
soil and water management practices, introduction of livestock and collective marketing.
Waste management practices such as composting, mulching and manure.
The sub-project will directly involve 15 households targeted towards enhancing their income through the various farming practices.

Contact details: Mr. Simon T. Natsar (Chairman)

Phone: 8787584626