Kohima, June 8: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday inaugurated a series of incubation and food processing infrastructure projects aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship, value addition, and rural livelihoods across the state.
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| Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and other dignitaries during the inauguration of the Incubation Centre for Food Processing at the State Industrial Area, Toluvi, on June 8, 2026. |
The flagship project inaugurated by the Chief Minister was the Incubation Centre for Food Processing at the State Industrial Area in Toluvi. The facility is expected to provide farmers, food processors, and aspiring entrepreneurs with the necessary infrastructure, technical support, and training required to convert agricultural produce into market-ready products.
Speaking on the occasion, Rio said the centre would help local farmers and entrepreneurs add value to their produce and access wider markets. He emphasized that the initiative would enable producers to improve product quality, develop new skills, and establish sustainable enterprises capable of competing in regional and national markets.
In addition to inaugurating the Toluvi facility, the Chief Minister virtually launched three other projects across the state. These include the Incubation Centre for Entrepreneurs and Infrastructure Development at the Industrial Growth Centre in Ganeshnagar, Chümoukedima, the Incubation Centre for Food Processing in Tuensang, and a Modern Aggregation Centre at Longnak in Mokokchung district.
Rio noted that the projects are designed to directly benefit villages and local communities by creating opportunities closer to home. He said young entrepreneurs would gain access to spaces where they can innovate, develop products, and grow their businesses, while farmers would receive better returns through improved processing, packaging, storage, and marketing of agricultural produce.
According to the Chief Minister, the initiatives are expected to generate employment opportunities for the youth and reduce the need for migration in search of work. By strengthening the farm-to-market value chain, the projects aim to improve income generation and stimulate economic activity in rural areas.
The projects have been implemented under the Department of Industries and Commerce, which has been actively promoting entrepreneurship and industrial development across Nagaland. The department's efforts received praise from Advisor to the Chief Minister and Chairman of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), Abu Metha.
Congratulating the department under the leadership of Advisor for Industries and Commerce Hekani Jakhalu, Metha described the inauguration of four centres across four districts as a remarkable achievement accomplished within a short period.
He said the facilities set a new benchmark for promoting entrepreneurship, food processing, value addition, and livelihood generation in Nagaland. The projects, he added, would empower local producers, support startups, create employment opportunities, and contribute significantly to strengthening the rural economy.
Metha also commended Jakhalu for presenting the department’s vision and explaining the broader ecosystem of the state’s farm-to-market strategy. He noted that the integrated approach would help connect farmers, producers, entrepreneurs, and markets, ensuring greater value realization for agricultural products.
The newly inaugurated centres are expected to play a key role in advancing Nagaland’s industrial and entrepreneurial ecosystem by providing incubation support, business development services, and market linkages. Officials believe the projects will accelerate the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) while fostering innovation and self-employment among the state's youth.
With the launch of these facilities, Nagaland has taken another significant step toward building a stronger rural economy driven by entrepreneurship, value-added agriculture, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
