The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, organized a Tribal Artisans Employment Mela in Zunheboto on the 23rd of September 2023, held at the Town Hall in Zunheboto. This initiative is part of the new scheme 'PTP-NER' (Promotion of Tribal Products in North East Region), launched by the Government of India on 18th April 2023.

In the first phase of this scheme, TRIFED (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd.) conducted activities throughout the entire North East region. A total of 300 artisans participated, out of which 115 were empaneled for further support. These 115 artisans are now set to receive a bulk order worth approximately 3.36 crores for marketing through TRIFED.

Phase 2 of the program commenced in Nagaland from the 21st to the 29th of September 2023. In Zunheboto, the program was inaugurated by DC Zunheboto, Rahul Bhanudas Mali, IAS. He was accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Sanyam Kashyap, General Manager of TRIFED, and senior program executive Ashif Ikbal Hussain.

During the Artisan Mela in Zunheboto, sample products were selected by TRIFED and its experts from other agencies. These products will be considered for bulk orders at a later stage. The products will be sold through the retail outlets of TRIFED and also via online portals such as tribesindia.com, Amazon, and Flipkart. Artisans identified during the Mela will be invited and sponsored by TRIFED to participate in All India exhibitions and fairs.

In Zunheboto, a total of 198 tribal artisans actively participated in the Mela, and among them, 32 were empaneled for further support.

(Atobo H Yeptho, IA Zunheboto)