Northeast Desk, 7th September: In a significant move aimed at bolstering agricultural trade and empowering farmers in Nagaland, Union Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, laid the foundation stone for the Naga Mandi at Seithekema-A in Chumoukedima district on Friday. The project, part of a larger initiative to enhance market efficiency and increase farmers’ incomes, is expected to generate substantial economic benefits and job opportunities.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Athawale emphasized the importance of agriculture to the nation’s survival, stating, “Without agriculture and our farmers, there is no meaning to life.” He further highlighted the Centre’s strong support for the farming community, underscoring the critical role of projects like Naga Mandi in driving rural economic growth.
The Naga Mandi will feature 110 retail outlets for traders, 10 units of warehouses with a total storage capacity of 4,000 metric tonnes, and two dedicated auction yards designed to promote transparency in agricultural trading. The marketplace is expected to facilitate greater market access for local farmers, helping them secure better prices for their produce.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who was also present at the event, hailed the project as a key milestone in the state’s journey toward agricultural modernization and self-sufficiency.
The Naga Mandi will be operated by Rural Agro Farms (RAF) LLP under the Build-Operate-Maintain Public-Private Partnership (BOM-PPP) model, a move that aligns with the government’s efforts to bring private expertise into the development of public infrastructure.
With the foundation stone now laid, work is set to begin on this ambitious project, which is poised to transform Nagaland’s agricultural landscape.
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