The Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) convened the final draft review meeting for the research study titled “Strategic Interventions for Endogenous Development through Export Promotion of Niche Agriculture Products, Advancement of Creative Economy, and Investment Diversification in Nagaland.” The study was initiated in January 2025 with the financial and technical support under NEDFi’s Techno Economic Development Fund (TEDF).
The research project set out to examine three key development domains:
- Niche Agricultural Products – assessing production capacity, market potential, and export readiness;
- Creative Economy – mapping opportunities in crafts, music, performing arts, and contemporary creative industries, including training institutions; and
- Investment Diversification – identifying emerging sectors such as tourism, hospitality, eco-enterprises, and renewable energy.
IDAN highlighted that this initiative serves as a sample baseline study to understand sectoral dynamics, identify gaps, and explore new pathways for economic development in Nagaland. The findings have revealed the need for more in-depth sector-specific studies for evidence-based planning and programme formulation.
The meeting was attended by the TEDF team, including Olee Bora, General Manager & Member Convenor, TEDF; Dharmindra Bortamuly, Manager, TEDF; and Kamal Saikia, Assistant, TEDF Department, alongside members of the Internal Study Committee and domain experts including Dr. Akali Sema, Professor, Department of Horticulture (SASRD), Nagaland University, present physically, and virtual reviewers Kaushik Raj Hazarika, Environmental & Sustainability Expert; Dr. Joydeep Baruah, Professor & Director, Surya Kumar Bhuyan School of Social Sciences, KKHSOU; Shiladitya Sarkar, State Engagement Officer, NSDC; and Dr. Vincent Darlong, Former IFAD Consultant & NRM Specialist.
Stakeholders from allied departments, including the Element Project (Agriculture Department), Department of Horticulture, and Department of Information & Public Relations (IPR) also participated. Institutional research partner Educentre School of Business was also present.
The meeting was chaired by I. Changsang, Under Secretary & Chairman of the IDAN Internal Study Committee, who acknowledged the generous support of NEDFi for enabling the research. He emphasized that the study has laid the groundwork for many investments diversification investments and one of which was developing frameworks for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Community-Private-Public Partnership (CPPP) models. He also expressed that IDAN looks forward to receiving structured recommendations from departments and stakeholders to collaboratively build strategies for scaling the agriculture and creative sectors in Nagaland.
Participants across government, academic, and technical institutions shared valuable feedback on refining the report and strengthening its policy alignment. Stakeholders expressed strong support for the initiative, recognising it as an important step toward producing evidence-based inputs for policy formulation, programme design and strategic development interventions.
The final report will integrate expert suggestions and sector-specific recommendations to support sustainable livelihood creation, export-oriented growth and inclusive economic development in Nagaland.
(DIPR)