The Department of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (DEFCC), Government of Nagaland, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education–Rain Forest Research Institute (ICFRE-RFRI), Jorhat, at the Conference Hall, Forest Office Complex, Dimapur, on August 1, 2026.
Dr. Nitin Kulkarni, Director, ICFRE-RFRI, Jorhat, delivered a short speech, wherein he described the MoU as the beginning of a stronger partnership between the institute and the Government of Nagaland for the sustainable management of forest resources.
He said RFRI, functioning under the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), had been working on research related to agroforestry, bamboo, agarwood and other forest resources across the Northeast. He stressed that research should ultimately benefit people through technology transfer, extension activities and capacity-building programmes for farmers and stakeholders.
Kulkarni noted that the Northeast is one of India’s richest biodiversity regions and emphasised the need for the judicious and sustainable utilisation of natural resources while conserving them for future generations. He expressed confidence that the collaboration with Nagaland would promote scientific research, sustainable livelihoods and value addition to the State’s forest and plantation resources.
Principal Secretary, DEFCC and Development Commissioner, Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS, addressed the plenary session and underscored the significance of strengthening forestry research and sustainable forest management through institutional collaboration. Sema said Nagaland was looking towards sustainable development after nearly two decades of peace, with plantation-based livelihoods such as agarwood and coffee offering significant opportunities for economic growth while protecting the environment.
Sema said about 70 per cent of Nagaland’s population lived in rural areas and depended on agriculture and allied activities. In the absence of large and medium-scale industries, he said plantation crops had emerged as a key avenue for employment generation and livelihood improvement.
Highlighting the State’s newly approved Agarwood Policy, Sema said it was formulated to ensure farmers received fair returns from agarwood cultivation. He said the policy was approved by the State Cabinet on May 6, following extensive consultations, and the decision was taken to collaborate with RFRI, Jorhat for research, scientific support, quality planting materials and technology transfer.
He said Nagaland had favourable agro-climatic conditions for agarwood cultivation, particularly in the foothill areas bordering Assam where natural agarwood infection occurred. The collaboration with RFRI, he added, would help improve scientific cultivation practices, strengthen market linkages and provide better support to farmers.
Sema also stressed the need for closer collaboration with research institutions across the Northeast to facilitate technology exchange and innovation. Referring to emerging technologies, he said improved scientific methods could substantially reduce the maturity period of plantation species, thereby enhancing returns for growers.
Expressing concern over the decline in forest cover, Sema cited the India State of Forest Report and urged landowners and communities to conserve forests while promoting sustainable plantation crops such as coffee and agarwood. He said such initiatives would improve rural incomes while contributing to environmental conservation and climate resilience.
Describing the MoU as the beginning of a long-term partnership, Sema urged the department and RFRI to work closely in research, farmer training, technology dissemination and market development. He said sustained coordination and collaboration among the government, research institutions and local communities would be essential for achieving sustainable development and improving the livelihoods of Nagaland’s farming community. Sema also said that the MoU follows the State Cabinet’s approval of the Nagaland Agarwood (Conservation and Promotion) Policy, 2026, which seeks to promote scientific cultivation, conservation and trade of agarwood in the state.
The programme was chaired by Addl. PCCF (Territorial), Supongnukshi Ao, IFS, while the keynote address was given by Sidramappa Chalkapure, IFS CCF (P&D) cum Member Secretary NSBB. T. Aochuba, IFS) Conservator of Forests gave vote of thanks.
(I.Tiakumla.Ao IA Dimapur)
