In a significant move for its bio-economy, Nagaland marked a historic milestone on Saturday with the dispatch of its first-ever commercial consignment of Zanthoxylum seeds. The Nagaland Bio-Resource Mission officially flagged off the seeds, locally known as 'michinga' or 'tomer,' from the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) in Kohima. The destination was a private company's northeast unit located in Tezpur, Assam.
A Milestone Event for Economic Potential
The flag-off ceremony was led by Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen. The event saw the presence of senior officials from the New Delhi-based private firm, state government representatives, local entrepreneurs, and farmers. This shipment is the direct result of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the mission and the company, which operates on a buy-back arrangement to ensure a market for the produce.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Secretary Imchen highlighted the tremendous untapped potential of Nagaland's medicinal plants and herbs. He explained that the Nagaland Bio-Resource Mission was established precisely to optimize and realize this latent economic value for the state. "Over the past decade, the mission has undertaken the critical task of cataloguing medicinal and aromatic plants across Nagaland," Imchen stated, emphasizing that this groundwork was essential for moving towards commercialization.
Zanthoxylum: From Local Staple to Commercial Crop
Imchen specifically pointed to Zanthoxylum as a crop with strong commercial promise. The plant, which produces a berry used as a spice and for medicinal purposes, is widely grown and consumed across the state. "Since the crop is already partially commercialised within Nagaland, it has strong potential for scaled commercial trade," he remarked. The chief secretary commended the mission team for taking the initiative forward through the strategic partnership with the private company.
This first consignment represents more than just a shipment; it is a pilot project that could redefine the agricultural economy in the region. By connecting local cultivators directly with a corporate buyer through a structured agreement, the model aims to provide farmers with a reliable income source while promoting the sustainable harvesting of bio-resources.
Pathway for Farmers and the State's Future
The successful dispatch from Kohima to Tezpur sets a precedent for the commercialisation of other bio-resources documented by the mission. For local farmers and entrepreneurs, it opens a new revenue stream and validates the economic viability of cultivating indigenous plants. The buy-back arrangement reduces market risk, encouraging more farmers to participate in the cultivation of Zanthoxylum and similar species.
This initiative aligns with broader goals of promoting rural development and creating sustainable livelihoods based on Nagaland's rich biodiversity. The event on Saturday has paved the way for transforming traditional knowledge and local crops into engines of economic growth, ensuring that the benefits of commercialisation reach the grassroots level.
