To promote organic agri and allied products, fine art, crafts and handlooms of Nagaland within and outside the state, the Nagaland government has decided to market the indigenous products under the brand name ‘Naturally Nagaland’.
The first of its kind outlet of the brand in the state was inaugurated by agriculture production commissioner Y Kikheto Sema at 4th Mile in Dimapur on Friday.
Some of the products available at the outlet are honey, bee wax balm, bamboo charcoal briquettes, ginger axone pickle, mushroom pickle, prawn and pork pickle, dry fish, dried tomato and plum squash.
Ginger candy, fermented bamboo shoot, nutgall tea, gooseberry tea, roselle tea, handloom and handicraft products, toys and kitchen utilities are also available at the outlet.
Speaking on the occasion, Sema said the outlet was launched to fulfil the desire of the Nagaland government to promote the local entrepreneurs, farmers and SHGs to market their products within and outside the state.
The next outlet will be opened in Kohima, he said.
Under the Naturally Nagaland brand, Sema said all the indigenous products can be brought together for sale to popularize the culture, food and lifestyle of the Nagas to the world.
He noted that though many entrepreneurs in the state want to sell their products in a standardized manner, they are unable to do so because of financial and marketing constraints.
Therefore, the Nagaland government has come up with this novel idea to provide an identity to the unique local products of the state.
Sema said the Naturally Nagaland will extend the required support by creating a market chain for the entrepreneurs while also identifying the indigenous and medicinal food products of the different districts and tribes.
He said the idea of Naturally Nagaland was conceived last year and initiated by former chief secretary late Temjen Toy.
The Nagaland government rechristened the state emporiums in Delhi and Kolkata as Naturally Nagaland emporiums in February 2020.
While promoting the Naturally Nagaland brand, the government will not derecognise those entrepreneurs who have already created their own brand and established an image in the market, he added.
Sema said all the established entrepreneurs can also participate in selling their own brand through the window created by Naturally Nagaland, making it an umbrella organisation for all the brands.
Initially, the Naturally Nagaland outlets will be in Kohima and Dimapur and they will be linked with the outlets outside the State.
High-ranking officers from agri and allied departments were present on the occasion.