Nagaland has increasingly become a preferred investment
destination in the country. It is highly endowed with fertile soil, plentiful
rainfall, salubrious climate, large number of plant and animal species,
as well as availability of vacant land for plantation purposes. All these
have created favourable conditions for producing various types of agricultural
products. Agriculture and allied sectors of Nagaland, in turn, offer good
inputs for development of a host of industries, namely, floriculture;
horticulture; rubber plantation; dairy and allied products; sericulture;
tea cultivation and processing; bamboo shoot preservation; mushroom cultivation
and processing; poultry; etc. Also, there is great potential in the information
technology industry of the State. In addition, Nagaland's rich forest
reserve base and scenic beauty makes it an ideal tourist hotspot.
Agriculture
Nagaland is basically a land of agriculture, with about
70 per cent of the population depended on it. The contribution of agricultural
sector in the State is very significant. Rice is the staple food. It occupies
about 70 per cent of the total area under cultivation and constitutes
about 75 per cent of the total food production in the State. Other major
crops are maize, wheat, millets, grams, mustard, cotton, jute, sugarcane,
tea, rubber, etc. The major land use pattern is slash and burn cultivation
locally known as Jhum. Area under jhum cultivation is about 1,01,400 hectares.
Out of the total land area of 16,57,587 hectares, forest area occupy approximately
8,35,436 hectares. Nagaland is rich in forest produces such as timber,
cane and bamboo, flora and fauna. Besides, the total area under irrigation
covers 93,231.43 hectares.
Horticulture is considered to be the most suitable farming
enterprise in the State. The altitude of the State varies from 100 metres
to an altitude of 3,840 metres in the interior of the State, which provide
favourable conditions for growing different varieties of tropical and
sub-tropical fruits and vegetables. Major vegetables are Ginger, Garlic,
Chilli, Tomato, Potato, Cabbage, etc. While, major fruits are Banana,
Pineapple, orange, Passion Fruit, Pears, Plum, Sweet potato, etc.
Floriculture can be taken up as a viable industry in the
State. The wide variety of orchids available in the State can be exported
to earn valuable foreign exchange. Many species of orchids are available
in Nagaland, which has tremendous commercial potential. There is scope
to grow exotic and new varieties of orchids through tissue. With the declaration
of Guwahati as international Airport, cut flowers can also be exported
from the State. Several medicinal herbs and plants are available in abundance
in the hilly regions of the State.
Besides, the agro-climatic condition is very favourable for
the development of Sericulture in the State. The main four varieties of
silk worms which are reared in the State are Eri, Mulberry, Oak Tasar
and Muga. Sericulture Demonstration Farms as well as spinning units have
been set up in the State for promoting the sector.
Mineral based Industry
Nagaland is rich in mineral resources. The
exploration carried out by the State Geology and Mining Department as
well as by other Central Agencies such as Geological Survey of India,
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd., etc. have established several mineral
reserves. Some of these are:- petroleum and natural gas; coal; high grade
limestone; nickel-cobalt-chromium bearing magnetite ore; marble and dimensional/decorative
stones; basalt; dunite; granodiorite; serpentine; quartzite; etc. There
is urgent need for enhancing the pace of exploration specially for untapped
potential for hydro-carbon deposits and metallic deposits, by infusing
both the latest technology and required funds from domestic and foreign
investors. Also, the huge reserves of more than 1000 million tonnes of
high chemical grade limestone in the Eastern Nagaland is a major prospect
for setting up of mineral resource based industries.
Handloom and Handicrafts
Handicrafts and handloom sector in Nagaland have vast potential
for growth due to the availability of abundant skilled labour and raw
materials, as well as due to rich cultural traditions of its people. These
are important cottage capacity industries, which are mainly being managed
by cooperative societies. The Nagaland Handloom and Handicrafts Development
Cooperation Ltd. in Dimapur is the State owned Corporation, which is responsible
for promotion and marketing of handloom and handicraft products in the
State. Nagas are inherently skilled people and their handicrafts and handloom
products are well known for the beauty and intricacies of work. These
products have widespread appeal and demand in the domestic as well as
offshore markets. The natural skills of Nagas lie in basketry, pottery,
cultivation, spinning and weaving, carving, dyeing metal work, etc. The
colorful shawls, bags and jackets woven by Nagas are extremely popular.
The ‘backstrap’ or the loin loom is commonly used for weaving.
Nagas are excellent woodcarvers and are famous worldwide for their art
of woodcarving. Since, cane and bamboo grow abundantly in the forests
and hills of the State and are readily available, Nagas have became expert
basket makers. Basketry is carried out in almost every village of the
State. Besides basketry, artisans of the State have also started making
furniture and a wide variety of decorative items.
Tourism
Nagaland is sometimes referred to as the ‘Switzerland
of the East’. It is endowed with exquisitely picturesque landscape,
lush green forests and evergreen deep valleys. It is blessed with salubrious
climate throughout the year, providing the right environment for travel
and adventure activities. The Government is involved in development of
amusement parks, ropeways, large resorts and hotels in order to prepare
the right infrastructure for all types of tourists. Further, with the
opening of the State to the international tourist by relaxation of Restricted
Area Permit (RAP), a good number of foreign tourists as well as domestic
tourists visit Nagaland every year. Tourism offers limitless potential
with Nagaland aptly being described as the 'Land of Festivals'. The HORNBILL
festival, conceived by the Tourism Department, held in the first week
of December, is an annual event where all tribes of Nagaland come together
to celebrate, exhibit and sell their traditional wares, foodstuffs and
crafts. Three traditional festivals, namely, Sekrenyi at Touphema in Kohima
district (Feb. 26-27), Monyu at Pongo in Longleng Sub-division (April
1-3) and Moatsu at Chuchuyimlang in Mokokchung district (May 1-3) have
been identified as festival destinations. The major tourists hotspots
in the State are Dimapur, Kiphire, Kohima, Longleng, Mokokchung, Mon,
Peren, Phek, Tuensang, Wokha and Zunheboto.
Project Profiles
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